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Form  No.  471 


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:^^j.  Itvi^.m  ,  ATTiDi*i]Kyr  jac^iks  d".^ 


CIVIL  AND   MILITARY 

OF 

ANDREW  JACKSON, 

LATE    MAJOR-GENERAL    IN    THE    ARMY    OF    THL 
UNITED    STATES, 

AND 

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF   OF   THE   SOUTHERN  DIVISION. 


■A  Chief  in  all  the  v/ays  of  battle  skill'd, 

Great  in  the  council — mighty  in  the  field  : 

Ry  whom  the  ftow'r  of  Britain,  in  full  aiartial  bloom, 

Iq  battle's  rage  sent  headlong  to  the  tomb. 


BY  AN  AMERICAN  OFFICER 


jyEW-YORK: 

PUBLISHED    BY    P.    M.   DAVIg6 
1825, 


Soiiihern  District  of  JS'ew-  York^  ss. 

Be  it  remembered,  That  on  Ihe   10th  day  of  June,  A.D.  1S25; 

, ,  in  the  49th  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States 

j  L.  S.  I  of  America,  P.  M.  Davis,  of  tue  said  District,  hath  d»  pos- 

< '  ited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof  he 

claims  as  proprietor,  in  the  words  following,   to  wit : 

"  Civil  and  Military  History  of  Andrew  Jackson,  late  Major-Gene- 
ral  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  and  Commander-in-Chief  of 
the  Southern  Division. 

A  Chief  in  all  the  ways  of  battle  skill'd, 
Great  in  the  council,  mighty  in  the  field  : 
By  whom  tie  flowV  of  Britain,  in  fuU  martial  bloom, 
In  battle's  rage  sent  headlong  to  the  tomb. 
By  an  American  Officer." 
In  conformity  to  the  Act  of  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled 
"  An  Act  for  the   encouragement  of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies 
of  maps,  charts,  and  book?,  to  (he  authors  and  propriottrs  of  such 
copjes,  during  tlie  time  therein  mentioned."     .And  also  to  fin  Act,  en- 
titled "  .An  Act,  siipplemcntdry  to  an  Act,  entitled  an  Act  for  the  en- 
couragement of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  aiul 
books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  coj)ieS;  during  the  times 
tber'.in  meitioiitd,  and  cxtciuling  the  benefits  thereof  to  die  arts  of 
designing,  ciigraving,  and  etching  his-torical  and  other  joints." 

JAMES  DILL, 
Clerk  of  the  Soittheni  District  of  jVew-Yorfr. 


r^Artiii  CarolicF 


TO  THE  READER. 


The  high  estimation  in  which  General  Andrew 
Jackson  is  hehi  by  his  countrymen,  was  the  in- 
ducement to  present  them  with  this  volume.  Since 
his  name  became  conspicuous  in  the  service  of  his 
country,  the  author  and  publisher  has  carefully 
sought  for  the  most  authentic  information  relative 
to  his  origin,  and  progress  from  humble  life  to  his 
exalted  station. 

The  facts  relative  to  his  parentage,  his  birth, 
education,  and  early  pursuits,  were  derived  from 
a  source  the  most  correct,  and  of  absolute  veracity. 
And  one  thing  is  most  certain,  that  when  time  shall 
have  defaced  monuments  of  brass  and  marble,  his 
name  will  be  handed  down  to  posterity,  and  an  ad- 
miring world  will  say,  he  was  a  successful  defender 


^V  TO    THE    EEADER. 

of  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  only  free  gov- 
ernment  on  earth ;  and  the  citizens  of  New-Orleans 
may  truly  say — 

Maidens  fair,  and  Matrons  grave, 
These  thj-  conquering  arms  did  save  : 
Raise  for  him  triumphal  botvers  ; 
Strew,  ye  fair,  his  way  with  flowers, 
Strew  our  hero's  way  with  flowerr 

jyeW'YorJ':,  May  ^Olh^   1825. 


CONTENTS, 


INTRODUCTION. 

Adoption  of  American  Constitution— Pursuits  of  Annericans— Dimi- 
nution of  Military  ardour— Declaration  of  War — Militia — Volun- 
teers—Regular  Troops — Andrew  Jackson.  -  -  p.  11 
CHAP.  I. 

His  family,  birth,  and   early  pursuits—Enters  into  the  army  of  the 
Revolution — is  captured  by  the  Britisn — resists  an  illegal  order  of 
a  British  officer — receives  a  uound,  and  is  committed  to  gaol — 
loses  his  surviving  brother — his  mother  dies  of  grief— he  completes 
his  literary  studies.     -         -        -         -         -         -        -        p.  21 

CHAP.  II. 

Incidents  of  early  life — of  Andrew  Jackson's  --He  commences  and 
completes  the  study  of  law — Patriotism  of  American  lawyers — He 
commences  the  practice  of  law,  and  emigrates  to  the  South- West 
Territory—'is  appointed  Attorney-General — member  of  the  Ten- 
nessee Convention — a  Representative  in  Congress — a  Senator  in 
Congress— a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  Tennessee — and  re- 
tires to  private  life.  -         -         -         -        -        -        p.  33 

CHAP    III. 

Mr.  Jackson's  career  in  civil    life— commencement  of  his  Military 
career — Major-Gpueral   "f   Tennessee   Militia — Militia   forces- 
American  Savages — reasfm  for  their  hatred  and  vengeance  against 
Anglo-Americans — Religious  fanaticism  among  them — The  Prophet 
A    O 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Francis  and  his  brotlicr  Tecumseh — Effect  of  their  assumed  '11  vim 
ty — fendei  oT  Gen.  Jackson,  and  his  \c)lunt(fr«,  to  ue  govern- 
ment of  the  U.  States,         --..-.        -p   42 

CHAP.  IV. 

'^(^n.  Jackson  and  Tennessee  Vo  unteers — Importance  of  the  river 
Mi-sisji|pi — Mr.  Mn:  roc's  suiicitu  h  Coi  the  security  of  it,  and  the 
Western  States — VoLuntf.ci-s  rendezvous  at  Nashville.  Tenn  — de- 
sc^ik!  the  Ohio  ymt  NUssissippi — encamp  at  Natchez— Order  for 
their  discl)arge,  from  Mr.  Armstrongs-disobeyed  liy  Gen.  Jack- 
son—Voluoteers  return  to  Tennessee,  and  are  discharged-  -Appro- 
bation of  ihe  gC'vernmeut.  -         -         -         -         -         p.  53 

CH\P.  V. 
Appi-obation  and  censure  of  Gen.  Jackson — implacable  hostility  of 
savages  increased  by  British  and  Spanish  emissaries,  and  British 
ravages —Indian  massacre  of  garrison,  wonaen  and  children,  at 
Fort  Mirams— Expedition  from  Tennessee  against  Creeks  prepar- 
ed—Gen.  Jackson  assumes  the  comnnand — Colonel  Coffee — differ- 
ence between  Miiitia,  Volunteers,  and  Regular  Troops— Generaf 
Jackson  proceed,  to  t!ie  frontiers —prepares  for  active  ser\ice — 
Deficiency  of  provisions — Col.  Dyer  destroys  Littafutchcs — First 
victory  over  the  Creeks  at  Tuliushatches — Gen.  Coffee's  report  of 
it  t9  Gen.  Jackson,      -------p.  6i? 

CH\P.  VI. 

Tennessee  forces — Collisions  in  armies — Establishment  at  Fort  Stro- 
ther — Perilous  situation  of  friendly  Creeks — Dtspatch  to  General 
W'hite — his  conduct — Battle  of  Talladega — Geu.  Jackson's  ac- 
couniof  i>.         =        -_-----        p.  80 

CHAP.  V!I. 

Consequences  of  Hri^.  Gcn»  White's  conduct— Hillabces  sue  for  pesce 
to  Gen.  Jnckson— Gen.  White  destroys  their  towns— Measures  of 
the  Georgia  Legislature— Victory  at  AutoMssee — Brig  Gen.  Friyd'*? 
accaunt  of  it — Gen  Jackson's  situation  in  December,  1813— Muti- 
3iy  aa.ong  his  troops — also  in  Gen.  Coffee's  brigade — dismissal  of 
So'-b.  -.-»-.-.         ^         p.  ffQ 


CONTENTS-  ^^^ 

CHAP.  VIlTo 

Gen.  Jackson's  situation  at  the  cnramencement  of  1814— bis  hopes 
revive— Victory,  at  Eccanacliacn,  or  Holy  Ground— Witherford, 
the  Indian  Prophet— Col.  Cairull  joins  Gea.  Jackson— Victories  at 
Emucktaw,  Jan.  22d— at  Enotachopco,  the  24th— Gen.  Jackson's 
official  report  of  them— Applause  bestowed  upon  soldiers.  p.  103 
CHAP.  IX. 

Gen  Jackson  prepares  for  a  new  expedition— receive*  an  account  of 
the  victory  at  Chatahouchee— adopts  a  ntw  mode  to  obtain  sup- 
plies—Army Coiitiactors— Enero:etic  measures— Great  victory  at 
Tohopeka— Savage  warfare— British  and  S,<anish  emissaries  p.  325 
CHAP.   X 

Conclusion  of  the  Creek  war— Return  of  Gen.  Jackson  and  Volun- 
teers— their  reception  and  separation— Geu.  Jackson  is  appointed 
Brigadier-General  in  U.  S.  army— also  a  Commissioner  to  treat^ 
with  Creek  Indians— concludes  a  treaty— Foreign  emissaries -In- 
dian eloquence— Speech  of  VVitherford-of  Big  Warrior— of  Te- 
cumsehj  and  his  death.  -  -  -  -  »  -  p.  132 
CHAP.  XI. 

Spanish  aggressions  and  perfidy— Gen.  Jackson's  measures  to  detect 
Manrequez,  the  Governor- of  Florida— his  letter  to  him— Danger 
of  the  7th  Military  district— Gen.  Jackson's  appeal  to  the  govern- 
ment—Mr. Monroe's  measures  of  defence— Attack  upon  Fort  Bow- 

ver  -?»-al!ant  defence  of  Major  Lawrence— his  official  report  of  it. 
'         "^  p.  157 

CHAP.  XII. 

^'J,en.  Jackson  is  appointed  Maj.  Gen.  in  U.  S.  army-Fort  Bowyer— 
its  importance,  and  its  danger— Gen.  Jackson  determines  to  re- 
duce Pensacola— Arrival  of  Gen.  Coffee  with  Tennessee  Volunteers 
and  Mississippi  Dragoons -Capture  of  Pensacola— Gen.  Jackson's 
account  of  it— Destruction  of  the  Barancas— He  returns  to  Mo- 
siie— Col,  Nicoirs  proclamation- Remark.  =        -        p.  l?^' 

CHAP.  XIII. 

.-iicra'  Jackson'3-,arrival  at  New-Orteans— perilous  sitaation  of  *?* 


Viii  CONTENTS. 

place — reliance  upon  distant  forces — his  address  to  the  people  ol" 
Louisiana — timidity  of  the  legislature — evidence  of  disaff.  ctioo, 
and  traitorous  conduct — Declaration  of  Martial  Law— Measuirs  of 
defence — Arrival  of  reinforcements — Landing  of  the  en*  my — Bat- 
tle of  the  23d  December— Official  report  of  it.  -  p.  190 
CHAP.  XIV. 
Benevolent  exertions  of  the  Ladies  of  New-Orleans— Gen.  Jackson 
selects  the  final  position  of  his  army — Loss  of  the  naval  force — 
Capt.  Patterson— Lieut.  Jones— Harmony  between  land  and  naval 
forces— Defence  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi— American  lines 
on  the  east  and  west  side  of  the  river  descrilied — Battle  of  the  28th 
December — of  the  1st  January — Attempts  upon  the  left  wing  cf  the 
American  army.       -------         p.  210 

CHAP.  XV. 
Gen.  Jackson's  and  Sir  Edward  Pnkfnham's  armies  from  the  1st  lo 
the  8th  January — Gen  Morgan's  lines — Battle  of  the  Sth  Janua- 
ry-Gen.  Jackson's  report  of  it-  Gen  Morgan's  retreat — General 
Jackson's  address  to  the  armies-  he  regains  the  right  bank  of  the 
Mississippi  — Bombardment,  and  attack  upon  Fort  St.  Philips — Maj. 
Overton's  report  to  Gen.  Jackson        -         -        -        -         p.  224 

CHAP.  XVL 

Situation  of  the  armies  after  the  battle  of  the  8tb  January — Melan- 
choly and  distressing  scene — Operations  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi—Departure of  the  enemy — Gen,  Jackson's  address  to  the 
American  troops — Disparity  in  the  loss  of  thf  two  armies,  p.  243 
CHAP.  XVII. 

Gen.  Jackson  appoints  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving  and  Praise,  for  the  vic- 
tories obtained,  and  for  the  preservation  of  the  city,  upon  the  23d 
January — Doct.  Dubourg's  Address — the  General's  answer — con- 
tinnrs  his  exertions  to  render  the  countiy  more  secure — surrender 
of  Fort  Bowyer— peace  proclaimed — discharge  of  troops — Genera! 
Jackson's  address  to  them — Remark.         -        -         -        p.  253 

CHAP.   XVIII. 

Recapitulation  of  facts  relative  to  the  proclamation  of  iMartial  Law, 


CONTENTS.  IX 

writ  of  habeas  corpus,  LouailUer,  and  Judge  WaK— Arrest  of  Gen. 
Jackson— his  defence,  conviction,  and  fine— Trial  by  jury— Popular 
feeling— Vloderation  of  Gen.  Jackson— he  advises  to  a  sacred  re- 
gard for  civil  power.        ------        p.  270 

CHAP.  XIX. 

Gen.  Jackson  retires  from  New-Orleans— arrives  at  Nashville,  his 
place  of  residence — Reflection  — He  receives  a  message  to  repair 
to  the  seat  of  government,  to  assist  in  arranging  the  Peace  Estab- 
lishment of  the  U.  S.  army— Difficulty  of  that  duty— Votes  of  thanks, 
&c.  to  Gen.  Jackson— He  repairs  to  the  seat  of  government— Ci- 
vilities received  upon  his  passage,  and  on  liis  arrival— Returns  to 
his  head-quartr-rs  at  Nashville,  and  in  1816,  repairs  to  New-Or- 
leans, and  arranges  the  army.  _  .  -  -  p.  285 
CHAP.  XX. 

Gen.  Jackson  negociates  a  treaty  for  the  extinguishment  of  Indian 
titles  to  land — Issues  an  order  relative  to  this  subject—Receives  a 
silver  vase  from  the  Ladies  of  South-Carolina,  &c.— Returns  to 
Nashville-  Issues  an  important  general  order — Prepares  to  defend 
his  Division  -Commencement  of  Seminole  War—  Gen.  Gaines  at-- 
tacks  the  Seminoles— Gen  Jackson  aJdiesses  the  "  Tennessee 
Volunteers"— repairs   to  Geoigria- and  enters  with  bis  army  into 

Florida— JusVacation  of  tUat  measure— He  captures  St.  Marks 

p.  297 

CHAP.  XXI. 

Gen.  Jackson  at  Fort  St    Marks,  Florida— captures  and   executes 

Francis  the  Prophet,  and  an  luviitiii  Chief— at  the  same  pl^ce,  takes 

Arbuthootand  Ambrister-    details  a  general  court-maitial  for  their 

trial    -Trial    r  Ariu'h.  "i  and  Ambrisier -Remark— Gen.  Jncksoo 

marches  for  Peusacola— capture  s  it— appoints  Col    King  to  the 

command  of  if,  and  retires  to  Nashville,  Tenn.  -        p.  315 

CONCLUSION. 

Incidents  of  Geu.  Jackson's  life — hts  character,      -        -        p.  354 


INTRODUCTION. 


Adoption  of  American  Constitution— Pursuits  of  Americans — Dimi- 
nution of  Military  ardour — Declaration  of  War — Militia — Volun- 
teers— Regular  Troops — Andrew  Jackson. 

From  the  conclusion  of  the  war  for  American  In- 
depf-ndence,  to  the  commencement  of  that  war 
which  secured  it,  the  Americans  were  almost  whol- 
ly diverted  from  the  stiiciy  of  military  tactics,  and 
no  opportunity  had  occurred  to  call  into  operation 
the  military  science  acquired  in  the  revolutionary 
struofgle.  The  mild  arts  of  peace  were  substituted  for 
the  ruthless  carnage  of  war;  and  a  rising  people, 
who  had  severed  the  ligament  that  hound  them  to  an 
European  monarch,  commenced  the  enjoyment  of 
self-government. 

To  organize  a  Republic,  consisting  of  a  confede- 
racy of  a  number  of  distinct  governments,  having 
diff^Tcnt,  and  in  some  respects  contending  interests, 
was  a  task  which  required,  and  called  forth  the  sci- 
ence and  the  energies  of  the  first  statesmen  which 
the  world  had  produced. 

Upon  the  conclusion  of  that  war,  the  people  of 


12  I^'TKODUCTION. 

the  American  Republic,  as  it  regarded  a  form  oi 
government,  were  '^in  astute  of  nature."  Desti- 
tute of  a  government  of  their  own  making,  they 
had  before  them  the  lights  of  antiquity,  and  the 
practical  knowledge  of  modern  ages.  With  the 
scrutinizing  research  of  statesmen,  and  the  calm 
deliberation  of  philosophers  they  proceeded  to  es- 
tablish a  constitution  of  Civil  Government,  as  the 
supreme  law  of  the  land.  The  establishment  of 
this  constitution  is,  perhaps,  without  a  parallel  in 
the  hiptory  of  the  civiliz'd  world  It  was  not  the 
\inresisteci  mandate  of  asuccesslul  usurper,  nor  v\as 
it  a  government  imposed  upon  the  people  by  a  vic- 
torious army.  It  was  digested  by  profound  states- 
men, who  aimed  to  secure  all  the  rights  of  the 
people  who  had  acquired  them,  by  their  toil,  their 
courage,  and  their  patriotism.  They  aimed  also  to 
give  to  the  government,  sutiicient  energy  to  com- 
mand respect. 

To  the  people  of  the  American  Repubh'c,  a  Con- 
stitution was  presented  for  M^zr  deliberation,  and 
for  their  adoption.  It  was  adoptetl,  not  with  en- 
tire unanimity,  but  by  a  majoriiy  of  the  people, 
sufficiently  respectable  to  give  its  operation  a 
promising  commencement.  The  peoi)le,  having 
emancipated  themselves  from  the  pov\er  of  a 
British  m")narch-*-having  successfully  resisted  his 
lords  and  his  commons,  looked  with  jealousy  upon 
those  who  were  called  to  the  otercise  of  the  pow 


INtRODUCTlO^r.  i^ 

et  which  they  had  themselves  delegated  to  their 
own  countrymen.  The  excellency  of  the  constitu- 
tion was  tested  by  the  practical  application  of  its 
principles ;  and  the  patriotism  and  integrity  of  ail 
the  early  officers  who  derived  their  power  from  it, 
w-ere  acknowledged  by  their  admiring  countrymen. 

The  people,  having  witnessed  the  establishment 
(^a  republican  government,  of  their  own  choice,  re- 
lapsed from  the  energetic  character  of  republican 
soldiers,  to  the  more  gentle  ones,  of  agriculturalists, 
merchants  and  mechanics. 

JgricvUuralists  found  a  capacious  field  for  the 
esercise  of  their  pursuits  in  the  widely  extended 
and  fertile  regions  of  the  Republic.  Land  specula- 
tion became  the  business  of  the  few,  who  had  ade- 
quate funds,  and  the  conversion  of  the  wilderness 
into  fertile  fields,  the  pursuit  of  those  who  had  in- 
dustry and  enterprise. 

The  Merchants  found  a  world  before  them  as  the 
theatre  upon  which  fA^zr  energies  were  to  be  exert- 
ed. Enjoying  peace  with  all  nations,  while  other 
nations  were  contending  with  eacli  other  for  domia- 
ion  or  wealth,  the  merchants  of  the  Republic  became 
the  carriers  for  the  commercial  worid.  Into  their 
employ  they  drew  thousands  of  their  countrymen, 
and  soon  rendered  the  American  States  the  second 
nation  in  the  world,  in  ])oint  of  commercial  conse- 
quence. 

Manufacturers  began  to  struggle  for  the  rank 
B 


14  INTRODUCTION, 

which  they  hold  in  many  of  the  countries  in  the  old 
world.  It  was  long  an  ineffectud  struggle. — But 
as  the  ^^restrictive  system''^  was  deemed  necessary 
from  the  unceasing  encroachments  of  European  gov- 
ernments upon  the  commercial  rights  of  America, 
they  rapidly  advanced  in  wealth,  and  gave  employ 
to  a  numerous  class  of  citizens. 

These  three  great  objects  of  pursuit,  embraced 
the  whok  American  people,  if  we  except  those  of  the 
learned  professions.  These  employments  were  all 
calculated  to  divert  attention  from  military  tactics, 
and  to  confine  it  rather  to  the  accumulation  of 
wealth,  than  to  the  advancement  of  national  glory, 
by  military  achievements.  In  addition  to  this,  the 
very  nature  of  the  American  Constitution,  was  cal- 
culated to  repress  military  ardour,  bein[j  more  cal- 
culated to  make  happy  citizens^  than  renowned  sol- 
diers,. The  surviving  patriots  of  the  revolution 
were  following  each  other  in  rapid  succession  to  the 
tomb,  and  the  rising  youth  of  America  were  seldom 
aroused  to  patriotism  by  the  tales  of  the  revolution- 
'ary  contest. 

Sudden  wealth  was  the  result  of  the  exertions  of 
the  different  classes  of  Americans.  The  voluptu- 
ousness and  effeminacy,  usually  attendants  upon  the 
possession  of  it,  were  rapidly  diminishing  that  exalt- 
ed sense  of  national  glory,  for  which  the  Saxons,  the 
ancient  stock  from  which  Americans  and  English- 
men trace  their  origin,  were  always  celebrated. 


INTKODUCTION.  15^ 

As  the  collisions  between  the  American  Republic, 
and  the  British  empire,  began  to  assume  an  hostile 
aspect,  frequent  negociations  were  commenced,  and 
as  often  terminated  in  widening  the  breach  between 
the  two  governments. 

The  murder  of  Pierce,  by  order  of  a  British  naval 
officer,  although  from  the  tranquillized  and  almost 
paralized  state  of  public  feeling,  it  did  not  excite 
the  same  indignation  as  the  massacre  of  Boston  citi- 
zens, by  British  troops,  before  the  revolutionary 
war,  yet  it  was  no  less  an  outrage  upon  humanity 
and  national  dignity,  than  that  barbarous  deed. 

The  constant  impressment  of  American  seamen, 
although  in  its  character  a  less  sanguinary  violation 
of  national  and  individual  rights,  was  a  more  widely 
extended  injury,  "  The  social  body  is  oppressed, 
when  one  of  its  members  is  oppressed."  That  na- 
tion can  hardly  be  said  to  be  independent,  who  will 
acquiesce  in  an  injury  committed  upon  one  of  its 
citizens  by  another  nation.  It  was  an  aphorism  of 
the  great  Hollander,  De  Witt — "  That  no  independ^ 
cnt  nation  ought  tamely  to  submit  to  a  breach  of  equity 
and  justice,  from  another,  however  unequal  the  pon^ 
ers.^'^  Although  an  injury  to  individuals,  is  an  in- 
jury to  the  nation ;  yet  in  the  attack  upon  the  Ches- 
apeake, a  national  vessel,  the  national  dignity  ,was 
directly  insulted.  To  impress  seamen  from  an  U. 
S.  frigate,  belonging  to  an  infant  navy,  whose  gal- 

*  History  of  Holland. 


^6  INTRODUCTION. 

lantry  in  the  Mediterranean,  had  excited  the  adiin. 
ration  and  even  the  jealousy  of  Nelson,  produced  a 
feriuent  in  the  American  Republic  which  could  ne- 
ver subside  until  ample  reparation  was  obtained. 

The  orders  in  Council — new  and  unauthorised 
principles  of  blockade,  and  an  invasion  of  the  rights 
of  neutrals,  added  to  the  other  injuries  mentioned, 
and  to  which  might  l)e  added  many  more,  compel- 
led the  great  council  of  the  Republic  to  resort  to 
measures  more  efficient  than  non4nter course,  embar- 
goes and  negociations. 

Facts  will  justify  the  assertion,  that  upon  the 
momentous  question  whether  War  or  Submission 
should  be  resorted  to  by  America,  the  American 
people  were  divided  in  opinion ;  and  this  division 
of  opinion  was  ascertained  by  a  knowledge  of  the 
two  great  political  parties  in  the  Republic.  The 
Republican  party  exclaimed,  with  an  ancient  Ro- 
man, "  Our  voice  is  still  for  IFar.^*  The  Federal 
party,  with  another  Roman,  exclaimed,  *'  Our 
thoughts,  we  must  con/ess,  are  turned  to  PeaceJ"^ 

The  justice,  necessity,  or  expediency  of  the  second 
war  between  the  American  Republic  and  the  King- 
dom of  Great-Britain,  cannot  be  discussed  in  this 
place ;  and  it  might  be  deemed  arrogance  to  at- 
tempt  it  at  all,  at  this  period  of  time.  Tlic  autho- 
rities who  alone  had  power  "  to  declare  War,^^  made 
the  declaration  5  and  to  the  American  people  were 


INTRODUCTION.  If 

they  responsible  for  the  great  and  important  meas- 
ure. 

It  may  not  be  inapposite  to  remark  in  this  place, 
that  a  systematic  opposition  to  government  is  un- 
known in  every  part  of  the  civilized  world,  except- 
ing in  America  and  in  England.  This  does  not  arise 
from  any  deficiency  of  national  feeling :  for  no  two 
nations  on  earth  are  more  devoted  to  national  glory 
than  Americans  and  Englishmen  ;  but  it  arises  from 
that  jealousy  which  intelligence  and  an  exalted  sense 
of  liberty  always  produce  in  ihQ  governed  iowds As 
their  governors.  Having  one  common  origin,  but 
no  longer  any  common  interest,  let  the  citizens  of 
the  American  Republic,  and  the  subjects  of  the 
British  Monarch,  judge  for  themselves  which  gov- 
ernment most  consults  the  happin*ess  of  the  people, 
and  upon  which  side  of  the  Atlantic  the  greatest 
freedom  is  enjoyed. 

Until  the  declaration  of  the  last  war.  the  energy 
of  the  American  constitution  had  never  been  tested. 
Under  its  benign  influence  the  people  had  suddenly 
arisen  from  infancy  to  manhood — from  vassalage  to 
freedom — from  national  penury  to  national  wealth. 
Its  provisions  were  found  abundantly  adequate  for 
the  government  of  a  great  and  growing  people  in  a 
stale  of  peace.  The  jealousy  or  the  fears  of  the 
fraraers  of  this  inimitable  compact,  had  restricted 
the  military  power.  It  permitted  the  Captain-Gen- 
eral  of  the  militia  of  the  United  States,  after  proper 


i8  INTRODyciiON. 

advice,  to  call  them  into  action,  to  ^^  execute  the 
la?vs  of  the  Union — suppress  insurrections — and  re- 
pel invasions;**  and  even  this  limited  power  be- 
came tlie  subject  ol  animated  discussion. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  war,  we  had  no- 
thing that  gave  any  idea  of  a  Standing  Armij.  Six 
thousand  troops  dispersed  over  a  country,  half  that 
number  of  miles  in  length  and  in  width,  presented 
nothing  but  the  fractured  skeleton  of  an  army.  The 
American  militia^  although  perhaps  the  best  in  the 
world,  were  organized  by  the  different  states  ;  from 
the  different  state  governments  derived  their  au- 
thority, and  had  different  attachments  and  differ- 
ent interests.  A.n  hundred  thousand  of  thera  were 
drafted  by  the  national  authority  to  hold  themselves 
in  readiness  to  take  the  field  at  a  moment's  warning. 
But  the  history  of  modern  tactics  shows  that  the 
trade  of  war  is  not  learned  in  a  moment.  Fifty 
thousand  Volunteers  were  invited  to  enrol  them- 
selves for  the  public  defence ;  but  the  amount  and 
efficiency  of  this  species  of  force  depended  upon  the 
opinion  of  the  people  in  regard  to  the  justice  of  the 
war,  and  of  the  rectitude  of  the  administration.  En- 
listments, from  which  alone  an  efficient  army,  for 
any  considerable  length  of  time,  can  be  produced, 
were  authorised.  In  some  sections  of  the  country, 
the  best  blood  in  them  was  aroused  to  patriotism, 
and  the  most  distinguished  citizens  flew  to  the 
standard  of  the  Republic.     Id  others,  it  was  con- 


liiTRODCCTION.  .  If^ 

sidered  a  disgrace  to  aid,  either  hy  men  qv  money ^ 
what  was  openly  pronounced  to  be  an  "  unjust,  un- 
natural, ivickcd  and  cruel  narJ*^ 

From  such  discordant  materials,  was  the  Ameri- 
can army  of  1812,  and  1813,  composed.  Although 
the  melancholy  catalogue  of  disasters  in  the  cam- 
paigns  of  those  years,  was  occasionally  gilded  by 
achievements  of  resplendent  glory ;  yet,  until  the 
commencement  of  the  campaign  of  1814,  the  Ameri- 
can armies  had  added  but  few  laurels  to  those  ac- 
quired in  the  war  of  the  revolution.  A  new  era  in 
the  military  history  of  America  then  commenced. 
As  the  gathering  stonn,  which  had,  for  two  years, 
hung  over  what  was  deemed  in  Europe,  the  devo- 
ted Republic  of  America,  increased  in  darkness  and 
horror,  the  character  of  the  rising  generation  of 
Americans  developed  itself.  A  constellation  of  he- 
roes suddenly  arose  and  illuminated  the  hemisphere 
of  the  western  world.  They  conquered  generals 
who  had  become  familiar  with  victory  in  the  old 
world — secured  for  their  country  the  independence 
acquired  in  the  revolution,  and  for  themselves^ 
fame,  as  lastin.s:  as  immortality. 

Major-General  ANDREW  JACKSON,  the  sub- 
ject of  the  following  Memoirs,  deservedly  holds  a 
distinguished  rank  amongst  the  veteran  officers  of 
the  American  Republic,  in  the  last  war.  But  while 
almost  every  American  is  anxious  to  join  his  indi- 
Tidual  note,  to  the  harmonious  concord  of  applause 


'20  INTRODUCT(Oy. 

bestowed  upon  this  distinguished  chieftain,  few 
know  the  arduous  toils,  the  severe  privations,  and 
the  excessive  fatigues,  by  which  he  acquired  his 
fame.  The  writer  will  endeavour,  in  a  manner  as 
perspicuous  as  he  is  able,  to  do  it ;  and  from  mate- 
rials of  unquestionable  authenticity,  to  present  the 
reader,  in  the  following  volume,  a  brief  Biography 
of  this  American  Hero.  If  the  delineations  will  not 
be  so  minute  as  they  might  be  in  a  more  volumi- 
nous work,  it  is  hoped  the  prominent  features  of  this 
great  man's  life  and  character,  in  his  civil  and  mili- 
tary career,  will  be  presented  in  their  proper  light 
and  shade. 


MEMOIRS 

OF 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 


His  family,  birtb,  and  early  pursuits—Enters  into  the  army  of  tUr 
Revolution — is  captured  by  the  British — resists  a'a  illegal  order  ef 
a  British  otficer — receives  a  wound,  and  is  committed  to  gaol — loses 
bis  surviving  brother— his  mother  dies  of  grief— he  completes  his 
literary  studies. 

The  birth  places  of  statesmen,  heroes,  and  poets, 
have  often  been  subjects  of  historical  investigation, 
and  not  unfrequently  of  warm  dispute.  Seven 
cities  of  Greece  claimed  the  honour  of  giving  birth 
to  Horaer.  The  birth  of  illustrious  men  certainly 
imparts  a  consequence  to  the  places  of  their  nativity; 
and  oftentimes  the  only  consequence  they  possess. 
An  English  civilian  will  visit  the  birth  place  of  Al- 
TRED — the  soldier  that  of  Marlborough — ihtpoet 
those  of  Shakspeare  and  Milton.  Americans, 
although  comparatively  a  new  people^  can  scarcely 
travel  in  any  section  of  their  extensive  Republic, 
but  they  can  point  to  the  place  where  some  of  its 
great  benefactors  were  born.  The  catalogue  would 
swell  the  volume.     Among  the  first  Statesmen  in 


22  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  world,  might  be  mentioned  the  members  of  the 
Old  Congress — Among  Iferoes,  the  officers  of  the 
Armt-of  the  Revo;.ution — Among  Pods,  a  con- 
stellation of  geniuses,. to  whom  posterity  nill  award 
the  meed  of  praise. 

No  sooner  had  ANDREW  JACKSON  began  to 
achieve  those  deeds  of  valour  which  furnished  a 
sure  presage  of  future  eminence,  than  Englishmen 
and  Scotsmen^  claimed  him  as  a  native  born  subject* 
They  once  claimed  Gen.  Washington.  Irishmeit 
omitted  to  assert  tiieir  claim  to  his  nativity;  but 
he  was  of  Irish  extraction,  although  born  in  Ameri- 
ca. His  grandfather  was  one  of  the  victims  at  the 
siege  of  Carrickfcrgus^  in  Ireland ;  and  all  his  an- 
cestors, being  among  the  humbler  classes  of  Irish- 
men, endured  the  sufferings  which  that  ill-fated  and 
oppressed  people  have  long  endured  from  some  of 
the  Irish  nobility,  born  in  the  bosom  of  that  coun- 
try ;  and  from  English  noblemen  sent  there  to  gov- 
ern them. 

His  father,  Andrew  Jackson,  emigrated  to  Ameri- 
ca, with  his  wife  and  two  sons,  in  the  year  1765. 
Desirous  that  his  rising  family  should  escape  from 
the  oppression  of  the  English  government  in  Europe, 
became  to  this  country  as  an  asylum  from  the  rod 
of  abused  power.  He  landed  at  Charleston,  in  the 
state  of  South-Carolina,  and  soon  after  established 
himself  at  a  settlement  formerly  called  lF(uvsa?Vi  now 
the  district  of  Marion, 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  23 

Ills  youngest  son,  and  the  subject  of  these  iMe- 
moirs,  was  born  at  that  place,  upon  the  loth  March, 
1767,  He  began  to  anticipate  a  happy  close  to  the 
evening  of  his  days  in  his  own  domestic  circle,  in  a 
land  of  freedom.  Bat  before  th^  British  govern- 
ment commenced  the  same  systematic  oppression  of 
their  subjects  in  their  Jmerican  colonies,  as  they 
had  long  exercised  over  its  subjects  in  Ireland^  death 
removed  him  from  the  storm  which  soon  after  be- 
gan to  hang  over  them.  He  ItifL  an  unprotected 
wife  and  three  young  children,  to  endure  the  buffet- 
ings  of  it.     He  died  at  near  the  close  of  the  year 

irar. 

His  surviving  children,  Hugh,  Robert,  and  An- 
drc?v,  became  the  objects  of  the  tender  solicitude  of 
their  mother.  Having  a  small  patrimony  left  them, 
their.3iolher,  with  unceasing  assiduity,  endeavoured 
to  procure  for  them  the  rudiments  of  an  English 
education.  Situated  in  a  country  where  she  could 
claim  connection  with  no  human  being  but  her  three 
sons;  the  eldest  but  little  advanced  from  infancy, 
and  the  youngest  an  infant,  her  situation  required 
the  highest  exercise  of  female  fortitude  and  vigi- 
lance. But  having  recently  emigrated  from  a  coun- 
try where  ihe  fejv  roll  in  splendour  through  life,  and 
the  mani/be^in  and  end  it  amidst  sufferings,  she  felt 
aniniate<l  at  the  idea  that  she  was  in  a  country  where 
the  rod  of  the  great,  or  what  is  worse,  the  rod  of  the 
petty  tyrant,  could  not  reach  her  or  her  offspring. 


S4t  iiEMoiRs  or 

Tor  a  number  of  years,  no  event  happened  todis 
turb  the  tranquillity  of  this  venerable'matron  orlier 
children.  By  the  judicious  management  of  a  small 
estate,  she  was  enabled  to  aid  her  sons  in  the  prose- 
cution of  their  studies.  She  omit(ed  no  opportu- 
nity to  detail  to  them  the  tragical  scenes  through 
'which  their  early  ancestors  had  passed  in  Ireland, 
in  the  stubborn  resistance  they  always  maintained 
against  oppression.  T!ie  youthful  reader  of  hidtor?/, 
may  be  made  to  glow  with  indignation  at  the  tales 
of  oppression.  But  the  most  pathetic  description 
of  the  historian  is  tamcness  itself  when  compared 
with  the  relations  of  those  who  have  themselves 
passed  through  the  scenes  of  sufferings  inflicted  by 
dying  man  upon  dying  men.  The  narrations  of 
Mrs.  Jackson,  must  have  aroused  the  feelings  of  her 
son?  to  the  highest  pitch  of  enthusiasm  against  the 
tyrants  who  had  blasted  the  hopes,  and  destroyed 
the  lives  of  their  ancestors.  She  little  thought,  per- 
haps, while  she  v.  as  infusing  into  the  tender  bosoms 
of  her  sons  the  ardour  of  patriotism,  that  she  would 
Hve  to  see  two  of  them  fall  victims  in  its  holy  cause. 
Hugh  and  Fobert,  not  being  designed  for  either  of 
the  learned  professions,  obtained  no  other  education 
than  what  the  common  schools  at  that  period  afford- 
ed. Andrew,  the  youngest  son,  was,  by  his  excel- 
lent mother  designed  for  t  he  ministry.  In  the  JVax^ 
saw  settlement,  about  forty  miles  from  Camden,  was 
established  an  academical  institution,  in  which  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  26 

learijcd  languages,  and  the  higher  branches  of  edu- 
cation, were  taught.  As  the  instructor  of  Andrew 
Jackson,  if  he  be  at  this  time  in  life,  will  rejoice  in 
the  celebrity  of  his  pupil,  it  is  but  justice  to  remark 
that  this  academy,  at  the  time  he  commenced  his 
literary  pursuits,  afforded  the  best  means  of  instruc- 
tion in  the  section  of  the  country  in  which  hr  was 
born.  The  preceptor  of  it  was  a  Mr.  Humphries, 
^  whose  christian  name  is  unknown  to  the  writer.  Un- 
der his  tuition,  the  subject  of  these  memoirs,  having 
before  enjoyed  no  other  advantages  than  what  the 
ordinary  schools  imparted,  began  the  study  of  the 
classics.  He  here  continued  assiduously  to  pursue 
his  studies,  until  the  Vandal  progress  of  the  British 
armies,  in  the  revolutionary  war,  brought  thein  to 
that  part  of  South-Carolina,  in  which  the  family  of 
Jackson  were  situated. 

Mrs.  Jackson  once  more  beheld  the  arm  of  British 
power  uplifted  in  wrath  over  her  adopted  country, 
as  she  had  before  beheld  it  raised  over  the  land  of 
her  nativity.  The  American  forces  were  compelled, 
in  that  section  of  the  country,  to  retreat  before  a 
power  which  they  could  not  then  resist.  Her  eldest 
son  had  before  enrolled  himself  in  the  armies  of  the 
Republic,  and  lost  his  life  in  its  cause  at  the  battle 
of  Stono,  Andrew  had  arrived  to  the  age  of  four- 
teen years;  and,  with  his  surviving  brother  Robert, 
was  impelled,  by  the  exalted  sentiments  of  liberty 
C 


2(y  MEiMOIRS    OF 

and  independence  which  he  had  learned  from  his 
mother,  to  fly  to  the  American  standard. 

The  scanty  details  which  are  yet  received  of  the 
revohitionary  contest,  deprives  me  of  the  pleasure 
of  mentioning  the  regiment  and  the  commander  of 
it,  in  which  Andrew  Jackson  commenced  his  mili- 
tary career  at  the  early  age  of  fourteen.  SufTice  it 
to  say,  that  at  that  age,  with  his  only  brother,  Ro- 
bert, he  entered  into  the  American  service,  prepar- 
ed, if  such  were  the  decrees  of  fate,  to  follow  their 
elder  brother  into  eternity  in  resisting  tyrannical 
power.  Effectual  resistance,  at  that  period,  was 
impossible;  and  the  slender  forces  of  America,  in 
Soitth- Carolina^  were  compelled  to  retire  before  the 
formidable  power  of  Lord  Cornmallis,  into  the  in- 
terior of  North-Carolina,  This  confident  representa- 
live  of  British  power,  finding  no  force  at  that  time 
to  resist  him,  left  the  country — leaving  behind  him 
the  wide-spread  tracks  of  desolation  in  every  part 
of  it.  The  once  tranquil  and  happy  settlers  of  Wax- 
saw  returned  to  a  place  which  was  once  a  home. 
The  deep  marks  of  British  rapacity  were  visible  in 
every  part  of  the  settlement;  and  the  effects  of 
Vandal  warfare  were  every  where  to  be  seen. 

Lord  Rojvden  was  in  possession  of  Caindcn^  and 
no  sooner  learned  that  the  dispersed  inhabitants  of 
JfrtT^rmMvere  again  returned,  tb^in  he  availed  him. 
self  of  the  assistance  of  American  tories  to  complete 
tbcir  extermination.     A  British  major, by  the  name 


ANDllEW    JACKSON.  ^7 

of  Cq/Jln,  was  the  commander  of  this  expedition. 
The  inhabitants,  who  might  all  be  said  to  belong 
to  the  forlorn  hope,  determined  to  make  at  least  a 
shew  of  resistance.  They  assembled  at  the  Waxsaw 
meeting-house,  to  which  was  attached  the  academy 
of  Mr.  Humphries,  in  which  Andrew  Jackson  had 
devoted  himself  to  literature.  Here  they  awaited 
the  augmentation  of  their  force  by  the  arrival  of 
their  friends,  and  the  expected  approach  of  the  ene- 
my. The  hopes  of  this  resolute  and  patriotic  band 
of  American  heroes  were  elated  at  the  distant  ap- 
proach of  a  body  of  citizens.  At  this  period,  the 
American  troops  could  hardly  be  said  to  have  had 
an  uniform ;  but  the  well  known  insignia  of  the 
British  troops  enabled  the  people  to  designate  them 
at  sight.  While  the  little  phalanx  of  Waxsaw  ex- 
pected to  be  joined  by  their  friends,  what  was  their 
astonishment  when  they  found  themselves  surround- 
ed by  a  ferocious  clan  of  American  tories,  covered 
at  a  little  distance  by  British  dragoons?  The  con- 
quest was  an  easy  one — resistance  would  have  been 
desperation — eleven  of  the  Americans  were  captur- 
ed, and  the  rest,  among  whom  were  Andrew  Jack- 
son and  his  brother,  escaped,  and  concealed  thepi- 
selves  in  the  adjoining  forests. 

Although  this  is  no  place  for  reflections,  yet  no 
opportunity  should  be  unimproved  to  express  the 
ineffable  contempt  and  utter  detestation  in  which 
the  tories^  in  the  revolutionary  struggle,  ought  for 


28  ME.^rOIRS    OF 

ever  to  be  holden.  Had  t  Ik  y  merely  joined  the 
British  standard  through  fear  of  its  power,  they 
might  at  least  have  been  entitled  to  contenipiuous 
pity  ;  biit  when  it  is  remembered  that  they  imbru- 
ed their  hands  in  the  blood  of  their  brethren,  it 
would  be  a  prostitution  of  charity  to  extend  it  to 
them. 

The  next  day  after  this  aflair  at  the  Waxsaw 
church,  many  of  the  wandering  heroes  who  escaped 
from  it,  were  captured  by  the  British  dras^oons ; 
and  among  them  were  Andrew  Jackson  and  his 
brother  Robert.  Immediately  after  they  were  ta- 
ken prisoners,  an  event  took  place  which  developed 
the  future  character  of  Jackson;  and  shewed,  that 
though  a  boy,  he  gave  the  world  "  assurance  of  the 
jman."  A  British  officer,  having  in  pursuit  of  pris- 
oners soiled  his  boots,  ordered  him  to  clean  them. 
Flushed  with  indignation  at  the  command,  he  de- 
cidedly refused  to  obey,  and  demanded  the  treat- 
ment due  to  a  prisoner  of  war.  Enraged  at  what 
would  have  excited  the  admiration  of  a  generous 
bosom,  the  officer,  with  a  drawn  sword,  made  a 
violent  pass  at  Jackson's  head.  Destitute  of  any 
weapon  of  defence,  he  parried  the  stroke  with  his 
hand,  in  which  he  received  a  severe  wound.  Thus 
early  in  life  did  Jackson  become  a  soldier  of  the 
Republic  and  an  unalterable  enemy  of  Britain.  It 
will  be  seen  in  the  sequel  how  essentially  he  has 


ANDREXV   JACKSON.  29 

served  the  one,  aud  how  completely  he  has  avenged 
the  injuries  he  received  from  the  other. 

The  gallant  Jackson  forgot  the  wound  he  received 
himself  in  his  solicitude  for  his  brother,  who  receiv- 
ed at  the  same  time  a  much  severer  one  in  the  head 
after  he  was  taken  prisoner.  They  were  both  com- 
mitted to  gaol  with  their  wounds  undressed;  and 
what  would  suffuse  the  cheek  of  a  barbarian  with  a 
blush,  they  were  deprived  of  the  only  consolation 
that  remained— that  of  sympathising  with,  and 
consoling  each  in  their  calamities — they  were  con- 
fined in  different  apartments !  They  were  here  in- 
carcerated until  exchanged  for  British  prisoners,  a 
few  of  whom  were  taken  near  Camden.  The  ex- 
change of  these  gallant  youths  was  a  presage  to  one 
of  them  to  exchange  worlds.  The  wound  of  Robert 
proved  mortal ;  not  so  much  from  its  original  seve* 
rity,  as  from  the  barbarous  neglect  of  it  while  in 
prison.  It  occasioned  an  inflammation  in  the  brain  j 
and  very  soon  after  he  obtained  his  freedom,  death 
relieved  him  from  one  of  the  greatest  calamities  in- 
cident to  man.  The  venerable  mother,  having  la- 
boured incessantly  for  the  relief  of  the  American 
prisoners — having  seen  her  prospects  of  temporal 
happiness  totally  blighted — disconsolate  and  broken 
hearted,  she  soon  followed  her  second  son  into  eter- 
Lity.     She  died  near  Charleston,  S.  C, 

Andrew  Jackson,  now  a  youth  of  fifteen,  found 
-himself  alone  in  the  world.    With  no  bei-ng  in  tht 
Q2 


30  MEMOIRS  OF 

country  in  which,  he  was  born,  could  he  claim  affin* 
ity  or  relationship.  His  constitution  was  impaired 
by  recent  toil,  and  cruel  imprisonment.  The  an- 
guish he  felt  at  the  fate  of  his  whole  family,  must 
have  been  excruciating  in  the  extreme.  To  make 
the  full  cup  of  human  calamity  overflow,  he  was 
violently  seized  with  the  small  pox,  which  brought 
him  to  the  very  jaws  of  death,  and  he  narrow  ly  es- 
caped the  grave  to  which  all  his  family  had  been 
consigned. 

The  estate  of  his  father  was  now  in  his  sole  pos- 
session.    Although  not  large,  it  was  sufficient,  with 
that   careful   attention,   and    prudent  calculation, 
which  a  man  of  mere  monied  business  always  un- 
derstands, to  have  enabled  him  to  complete  his  edu- 
cation,  and  to  have  had  a  competency  remaining. 
.But  Andrew  Jackson  was  not  born  for  the  counting- 
room  ;  and  never  thought  of  those  day-book  and 
ledger  calculations  which  are  within  the  reach  of 
the  most  moderate  capacity;  but  which  often,  and 
almost  in\ariably,  divert  the  mind  from  the  nobler 
pursuits  of  literary  reputation  and  military  fame. 
These  had  now  become  his  objects.     If  he  had  had 
a  discreet  steward  to  manage  his  estate,   it  would 
have  been  a  pecuniary  advantage  unquestionably; 
but  in  Ids  handsj  it  w  as  a  sort  of  incumbrance  upon 
his  mind;  and  until  it  was  removed,  operated  as  a 
check  upon  its  excursions.     At  this  period  of  his 
Mife,  licthought  little  of  that  independence  in  rC- 


ANDREW   JACKSONi  31 

gard  to  money,  which  the  younger  Lyttleton  em- 
phatically pronounces  *'  the  rock  of  life."  With  a 
profusion  at  which  prudence  would  frown,  and  at 
which  genius  would  smile,  he  reduced  himself  to  a 
situation  which  compelled  h!m  to  become — "^w/5- 
^ue  Sim  fortuiice  faber''* — (in  every  situation  the 
builder  of  his  own  fortune.) 

At  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  returned  to  his 
literary  pursuits;  making  them  however,  as  it  would 
seem  from  his  subsequent  course,  secondary  to  his 
paramount  desire  for  a  military  life.  His  second 
instructor  was  a  Mr.  M'Culloch,  With  him  he  re- 
newed the  study  of  the  languages,  and  other  studies, 
preparatory  to  his  entrance  at  an  university.  His 
attention  was  by  no  means  confined  to  the  mere  pre- 
scribed duty  enjoined  by  his  preceptor.  He  was 
not  one  of  those  unambitious  pupils  who  concluded 
that  enough  was  dene  when  his  lesson  was  commit- 
ted to  memory  ;  and  that  he  was  a  linguist  and  a 
mathematician,  because  he  could  distinguish  be- 
tween a  dactyl  and  a  spondee — between  a  single 
and  a  double  equation.  His  studies  were  as  diver- 
siBed  as  the  suggestions  of  his  inclination  ;  and  he 
ventured  to  e:xplore  those  regions  of  literature  to 
which  his  native  genius  pointed  out  the  avenues. 
Such  a  course  of  study  would  never  have  made 
him  a  popular  tutor  in  an  university ;  but  it  was 
calculated  to  make  him  ^general,  if  not  a  partiru- 
'  lar  scholar.     He  continued  his  literary  pursuits  uii- 


3^  MEMOIRS    Of 

til  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  eighteen.  Finding  hi# 
patrimony  diminished,  from  expenditures  of  it,  he 
relinquished  his  intentions  of  entering  an  university. 
At  the  same  time  he  relinquished  his  intentions,  if 
he  ever  had  any,  of  entering  into  "  holy  orders.'* 
It  was  the  wish  of  his  deceased  mother,  that  he 
might  become  a  minister  of  the  gospel ;  but  he  was 
fully  aware  that  if  he  had  been  consecrated  to  that 
sacred  profession,  it  woukl  have  rendered  it  incom- 
patible with  his  duties,  to  avenge,  with  his  sword, 
the  injuries  he  and  his  family  had  sustained  from  it. 
Andrew  Jackson  was  brought  into  existence  to  dis- 
charge other  duties  than  those  which  belong  to  the 
sacred  profession ;  and  although  the  church  may 
regret  that  he  had  not  brought  his  splendid  talents 
into  its  divine  service  ;  the  state  and  the  army  may 
both  acknowledge  the  services  he  has  rendered 
them,  not  only  with  gratitude,  but  Vrith  admira- 
tion* 


ANDREW   JACKSON. 


CHAPTER  II. 

IncideDts  of  early  life~of  Andrew  Jackson's-IIe  commences  and 
completes  the  study  of  law— Patriotism  of  American  lawyers— He 
commences  the  practice  of  law,  and  emigrates  to  the  South-West 
Territory— is  appointed  Attorney-General— member  of  the  Tennes^. 
see  Convention— a  Representative  in  Congress— a  Senator  in  Con- 
gress-a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  io  Tennessee,  and  retires  to 
private  life. 

I.v  the  preceding  chapter,  the  reader  has  been 
made  acquainted  with  the  origin  of  Andrew  Jack- 
son—his early  pursuits,  and  the  most  interesting  in- 
cidents of  his  juvenile  years./lt  has  been  frequently 
remarked,  and  always  with  truth,  that  those  who 
have  distinguished  themselves  in  the  science  of  war, 
have  discovered  the  bias  of  the  mind  to  the  profes- 
sion of  arms  in  the  early  stages  of  life.  The  bi. 
ographies  of  the  great  military  and  naval  characters 
of  Europe,  furnish  numerous  instances  of  the  truth 
of  this  remark.  At  seventeen,  Bonaparte,  a  cadet 
in  the  military  academy,  in  resentment  of  an  affront, 
thrust  his  sword  into  a  balloon,  ready  to  ascend  for 
the  gratification  of  Louis  XVI,  whose  throne  he  af- 
terwards  occupied.  Nelson,  at  a  still  earlier  period 
of  life,  encountered  a  bear  upon  the  frozen  ocean. 
So  unhappily  deficient  are  the  biographical  sketch- 
es  of  American  worthies,  that  the  present  generatioi] 


34  MEMoiEs  or 

know  little  of  the  gigantic  statesmen  and  heroes  who 
livf^d  in  the  last.  The  truth  of  the  remark  is  cstab- 
lis]):  d  as  it  relates  to  VVasiiinoton  and  PuTNAir. 
Th<  first,  in  early  life,  discovered  the  cool  and  regu- 
lated courage  of  a  great  commander  ;  and  the  last, 
at  twelve,  when  visiting  Boston  for  the  first  time, 
encountered  and  cotjquered  an  enemy  double  his 
age  and  size.  He  also  in  youth  "  carried  the  ring^* 
at  gymiMstic  exercises,  and  destroyed  a  wolf  in  his 
den,  at  the  hazard  of  his  own  life.  The  incident 
mentioned  of  Jackson,  is  evincive  of  his  whole  char- 
acter— he  resisted  the  exercise  of  unauthorised 
power  in  a  British  officer,  and  demanded  justice  for 
liimself  and  his  fellow  prisoners.  When  it  is  con- 
sidered that  the  power  of  the  British  army  was  at 
that  time  irresistible — that  the  tories  were  nume- 
rous— that  they  violated  all  the  rules  of  civilized 
warfare,  and  that  Jackson  was  less  than  fourteen 
years  of  age,  and  subject  to  all  thpir  cruelty  and 
ferocity,  his  firmness  excites  admiration. 

In  irSi,  he  comaienced  the  study  of  law  under 
the  instruction  and  direction  of  Spruce  M'Ca?/f  Esq. 
at  Salisbury,  North-Carolina.  It  is  but  justice  to 
the  profession  of  law,  to  remark,  that  among  its 
members  in  America  and  England,  have  always 
been  found  the  most  energetic  advocates  of  the 
rights  of  the  people.  As  a  corrupt  ministry  have 
encroached  upon  the  constitutional  rights  of  the 
geople,  English  and  Irish  advocates  have  thrown  ^ 


ANDREW    JACKSON-  3-5 

shield  before  the  designated  victimff  of  iiiinisterial 
vengeance,  and  persuaded  juries  to  save  their  fel- 
low men  from  Botany  Bay  and  the  gibbet.  The 
names  of  Er shine  and  Gibbs  are  dear  to  English- 
men— Curran  and  Grattan  to  Irishmen. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  revolution,  the 
members  of  the  American  bar,  almost  without  ex- 
ception, arranged  themselves  upon  the  side  of  their 
country;  and  by  their  examples,  as  well  as  their 
eloquence,  aroused  the  sacred  flame  of  patriotism 
in  the  bosoms  of  their  oppressed  countrymen.  Their 
conduct  drew  from  the  eloquent  Burke,  one  of  his 
finest  encomiums,  in  the  British  house  of  commons. 
To  their  honour  let  it  be  said,  that  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  last  war,  which  secured  the  inde- 
pendence acquired  by  the  army  of  the  revolution, 
they  again  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Republic. 
They  not  only  thundered  defiance  to  our  inveterate 
enemy  in  the  Senate,  but  many  placed  themselves 
in  the  embattled  ranks  of  their  countrymen.  A 
number  of  them  fell  victims  to  their  courage,  whose 
memories  will  forever  be  cherished— a  number  of 
them  still  survive,  and  still  grace  the  army  of  the 
Republic.  A  Jackson,  a  Macomb,  a  Gaines,  a 
Scott,  and  a  Ritley,  will  not  suffer  by  a  compari- 
son with  the  first  soldiers  in  the  universe,  and  it  is 
belUved  they  were  all  members  of  the  bar  when 
they  entered  the  nrmy.  Mr,  Jackson  comnleted 
the  study  of  the  law  with  John  Stokes,  Esquire,  and 


3G  MEMOIRS    ©i: 

was  licensed  as  a  practitioner  in  ITSG.  He"present- 
Xid  himself  at  the  bar  at  in  age  when  mos)  students 
commence  the  study  of  law.  The  part  of  the  coun- 
try in  which  he  was  situated,  afforded  but  a  slender 
prospect  of  success;  but  while  it  prevented  him 
from  enjoying  the  profits  of  the  prnctke,  it  enabled 
him  to  become  more  familiar  with  the  theory  of  ihe 
law. 

In  irSS,  the  course  of  emigration  was  from  the 
Atlantic  states  to  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi.  The 
present  state  of  Tennessee  was  then  a  territorial  gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States,  called  the  South-West 
Tcrritorjj,  having  been  recently  organized  by  Con- 
gress. The  climate  was  salubrious,  the  soil  was  fer- 
tile, and  it  was  rapidly  emerging  from  a  wilderness 
state,  to  a  btate  of  civilization.  Mr.  Jackson,  with 
that  spirit  of  adventure  which  is  in  him  a  striking 
characteristic,  resolved  to  leave  a  country  which 
offered  but  ^ew  inducements  to  detain  him  in  it. 

The  honourable  Judge  JWNairij  was  appointed 
judge  of  this  territory  in  ITSS,  and  was  accompani- 
ed by  Mr.  Jackson  to  Nashville^  at  which  place  they 
arrived  in  October  of  that  year,  when  the  first  su- 
preme court  was  holdcn.  He  here  found  himself 
among  a  people  entirely  different  in  manners,  cus- 
toms, and  habits,  from  those  he  had  recently  left. 
In  the  older  states,  where  one  generation  of  inhabit- 
ants have  followed  another  in  regular  succession, 
there  are  always  some  distinguishing  characteristicB 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  Qi' 

in  the  whole  population.  But  in  th€  new  slates,  the 
traveller  of  observation  can  hardly  discover  any  e£= 
tablished  character  in  the  people,  but  that  of  energy 
and  personal  independence.  In  tho^e  parts  of  the 
Republic  which  have  been  settled  for  two  centuries, 
a  family,  a  nioKied,  or  a  landed  aristocracy,  can  al- 
ways be  discovered.  The  many  become  subservient 
to  the  (ew^  and  subjugate  their  minds  to  those  who 
t)y  wealth  or  power,  have  obtained  the  ascendancy 
over  thera.  In  such  a  state  of  society,  an  insulated 
being,  like  Andrew  Jackson,  without  the  influence' 
t)f  friends  to  aid  him,  or  without  funds  to  procure 
them,  can  hardly  hope,  with  the  most  gigantic  pow- 
ers, to  place  himself  in  eligible  circumstances.  Far 
otherwise  is  the  case  in  the  new  states.  Drawn  to- 
gether from  different  sections  of  our  extensive  coun- 
try, from  motives  of  interest,  of  power,  or  of  fame, 
-each  individual  may  almost  be  said  to  make  a  pro- 
vince by  himself.  In  such  a  situation,  the  most  en- 
ergetic character  becomes  the  object  of  the  greatest 
popular  favour.  In  this  sphere  was  Jackson  exactly 
calculated  to  move.  Without  any  extrinsic  advan- 
tages to  promote  his  advancement,  he  had  to  rely 
solely  upon  intrinsic  worth  and  decision  of  character, 
to  enable  him  to  rise  rapidly  with  a  rapidly  rising 
people. 

The  place  of  his  nativity  could  not  be  recollected 
-^vithout  the   most  distressing  association  of  ideas. 
His  whole  family,  excepting  his  father,  who  may  be 
D 


38  MEMeiRS    OF 

said  to  have  died  a  natural  death,  there  fell  victims 
to  the  ruthless  barbarity  of  the  British  sokliery,  who 
carried  on  an  unnatural  war  against  their  own  coun- 
trymen, in  their  own  colonies.  The  attachment  to 
home,  which  may  be  said  to  constitute  a  part  of 
our  nature,  must  have  been  alienated  from  the  bo- 
som of  Jackson.  In  the  IVnxsaw  fettlement,  S.C. 
he  had  his  birth— there  he  was  a  €ad  spectator  of 
the  extinction  of  his  whole  family ;  and  there  he  all 
but  lost  his  own  life.  To  him,  the  plain  of  IVaxsaw^ 
with  all  its  charms,  must  have  been  as  cheerless  as 
that  of  Golgotha  to  the  ancients. 

He  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  the  South- 
West  Territory,  at  the  age  of  little  more  than  twen- 
ty-one years;  and  although  the  district  contained 
many  aspiring  young  men  who  had  already  emigra- 
ted there  to  share  the  honours  of  the  new  govern- 
ment, and  the  profits  of  business,  Mr.  Jackson  soon 
rendered  himself  distinguished  among  those  who 
were  "  themselves  conspicuous  there.^^ 

The  unyielding  integrity  of  his  character,  and 
his  unceasing  attention  to  business,  soon  introduced 
him  to  the  notice  of  the  government;  and  he  was 
appointed  Attorney-General  of  the  territory.  This 
office  he  continued  to  sustain,  with  great  reputation 
to  himself,  and  with  essential  advantage  to  the  dig- 
nified and  impartial  administration  of  justice  for 
many  years. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  39 

In  irOG,  the  South- West  Territory  was  admitted 
as  a  sovereign  and  independent  state  into  the  Ameri- 
can Union,  by  the  name  of  the  State  of  Tennessee  ; 
being  the  sixteenth  star  that  was  added  to  the 
American  Constellation.  The  citizens  were  called 
upon  to  exercise  the  first  great  act  of  self-govern- 
ment— that  of  forming  a  constitution  as  the  su- 
preme law  of  the  state.  IMr.  Jactson  was  chosen  a 
member  of  the  convention  called  to  discharge  this 
important  duty.  xMthough  he  had  become  known 
to  the  most  distinguished  citizens  of  the  country, 
his  exertions  in  this  convention,  brought  him  into 
more  universal  notice,  by  the  laborious  part  he  took 
in  the  interesting  discussions  upon  this  momentous 
subject.  The  course  of  his  studies  had  previously 
led  him  to  investigate  minutely  the  subject  of  gov- 
ernment, from  the  earliest  ages  down  to  the  close  of 
the  eighteenth  century.  With  the  rise,  progress 
and  termination  of  the  ancient  Republics,  he  had 
made  himself  familiarly  acquainted.  He  had  wit- 
nessed the  operation  of  the  American  Constitution, 
and  those  of  the  different  states,  for  a  number  of 
years.  With  a  mind  thus  prepared  to  meet  the  im- 
portant discussion,  he  took  the  lead  in  the  debates 
upon  the  different  articles  of  the  proposed  constitu- 
tion. To  those  who  are  acquainted  With  the  consti- 
tution of  the  state  of  Tennessee,  it  will  be  seen  with 
what  precision  the  Legislative,  the  Executive,  and 
Judiciary  powers  are  designated — with  what  care 


the  civil  rights  of  the  people  are  secured — and  wHh 
>vhat  unlimited  freedom  the  rights  of  conscience 
ma>  be  enjoyed. 

The  people  of  Tennessee,  as  a  mark  of  the  confi» 
dence  they  placed  in  Mr.  Jackson,  elected  him  their 
Srst  representative  in  the  Congress  of  the  United 
Stales.  Be  was  a  new  member  of  the  national  le- 
gislature, and  was  surrounded  by  a  body  of  states- 
men who  have  scarcely  been  equalled,  and  certainly 
never  have  been  excelled,  since  the  adoption  of  the 
American  Constitution.  If,  owing  to  that  modesty 
uhich  is  always  a  concomitant  with  real  greatness, 
he  did  not  immediately  shine,  his  constituents,  the 
next  year,  (ir9?',)  raised  him  to  the  high  and  re- 
sponsible station  of  a  Senator  of  Congress.  It  was 
during  his  congressional  life,  that  the  two  great  po- 
litica!  parties  of  the  Republic  were  in  array  against 
each  otlier.  He  was  a  Republican  ;  and  of  course 
in  the  minority.  Although  no  man  ever  more  cheer- 
fully submitted  to  authority  when  properly  exerci- 
sed, yet  he  never  could  be  brought  to  be  a  7)iinor 
actor  in  the  plots  of  political  intrigue — and  to  be  a 
leader  in  political  machinations,  his  habits  and  prin- 
ciples rendered  him  totally  unqualified.  He  resign- 
ed his  seat  in  the  senate  in  1199,  and  returned  to 
Tennessee,  with  the  government  of  which  he  had 
now  become  identified. 

He  was  now  called  upon  to  discharge  the  duties 
cf  an  important  ofTice  under  the  constitution  and 


A^fDREW   JACKSON,  41 

laws  of  the  slate,  in  the  establishment  of  which  he 
had  taken  so  important  a  part.  In  1799,  he  was 
appointed  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court.  This 
appointment  was  bestowed  upon  him  without  his 
knowledge,  contrary  to  his  wishes,  and  very  much 
opposed  to  his  inclination.  After  discharging  the 
duties  of  it  for  a  short  period,  he  resigned  it,  and 
retired  to  his  delightful  real  estate  upon  the  banks 
of  the  Cumberland  river,  where  for  a  number  of 
years  he  enjoyed,  in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  that 
domestic  felicity  which  is  always  produced  by  at- 
tachment for  private  worth,  mingled  with  respect 
for  dignity  of  character.  From  the  citizens  with 
whom  he  was  located,  he  invariably  received  every 
demonstration  of  respectful  attachment,  and  grateful 
acknowledgment,  which  a  people  in  the  enjoyment 
of  temporal  felicity,  usually  bestow  upon  the  bene- 
factor who  had  secured  it  for  them.  In  Mr.  Jack- 
son, although  he  had  scarcely  reached  the  middle 
age  of  life,  the  people  recognized  a  political  father, 
who  had  ever  discovered  more  solicitude  for  their 
political  rights,  and  individual  happiness,  than  for 
bis  own  emolument  or  aggrandizement. 


D  2 


42  -         MEMOIRS    O? 


CHAPTER  III. 

Mr.  Jackson's  career  in  civil  life — Comariencement  of  his  military  car- 
reer— Major-General  of  Tennessee  IMilitia— Militia  forces — Ameri- 
can Savages— Reason  for  their  hatred  and  vengeance  against  Anglo- 
Americans — Religious  fanaticism  among  them — The  Prophet  Fran= 
cis,  and  his  brother  Tecumseh — Effect  of  their  assumed  divinity — 
Tender  of  Gen.  Jackson,  and  his  Volunteers,  to  the  Goveroment  of 
the  United  States. 

At  the  close  of  tlie  last  chapter,,  the  reader  found 
the  subject  of  these  memoirs  in  a  situation,  above  all 
others  the  best  calculated  for  the  enjo3uiient  of  tem- 
poral MlcWy — with  an  estate  abundantly  competent, 
wilhout  being  so  overgroivn  as  to  excite  solicitude — 
in  a  family  circle,  where  every  aiiectionate  sentiment 
was  coi'dially  rocipiocated,  and  surrounded  by  ex- 
tensive acq^uaintances,  who  loved  him  for  his  affa- 
bility, rcspeclcd  him  for  his  dignity,  and  venerated 
him  for  his  exalted  patriotism.. 

Hitherto  the  attention  of  Mr.  Jackson  had  been 
almost  exclusively  confined  to  the  pursuits  of  chit 
lift'.  Although  the  duties  of  it  are  oftentimes  ardu- 
ous, and  the  difficulties  sonifilimes  inextricable,  yet 
he  had  moved  through  it  with  incalculable  benefit 
to  his  country,  and  with  undivided  approbation  to 
himself.  The  history  of  our  country  scarcely  affords 
an  instance  of  an  individual,  wko  has^  so  early  in 


AXDREW    JACKSO!^.  43 

fife,  been  called  to  fill  so  many  important  offices  ia 
such  rapid  succession.  At  twenty-tvvo,  aUorney- 
general  of  a  district — at  twenty-nine,  raeraber  of 
convention  to  form  a  constitution — at  the  same  agCj 
a  representative  in  congress — at  thirty,  a  senator  in 
congress,  and  at  thirly-two  a  judge  of  the  supreme 
court  of  an  independent  state. 

Thus  far  in  life,  Mr.  Jackson  had  reaped  a  rich 
reward  for  his  devotion  to  his  country,  in  the  ap- 
plause bestowed  upon  him  by  his  countrymen.  Had 
he  been  disposed  to  have  lived  in  his  delightful  re- 
tirement, and  to  have  been  a  spectator  of  the  suffer- 
ings his  fellow-citizens  were  called  to  endure  from  a 
Christian  and  a  savage  foe,  he  would  indeed  have 
ended  his  days  without  the  splendid  glory  which  is 
non  attached  to  his  name ;  yet  he  w  ould  have  also 
escaped  from  the  acrimonious  censure  and  illiberal 
abuse  of  those  who  envy  him  his  reputation,  and-^ 
vainly  endeavour  to  rob  him  of  his  hard  earned 
lame. 

However  brilliant  has  been  the  career  of  Mr» 
Jackson  in  civil  life,  it  is  almost  forgotten  by  the 
renown  he  has  acquired  by  military  achievements. 
To  the  great  mass  of  his  countrymen,  he  is  known 
onltj  as  a  distinguished  military  character.  It  will 
be  the  object  of  the  remaining  part  of  this  work 
to  present  the  reader  with  a  view  of  his  military 
career. 

The  same  year  that  the  state  of  Tennessee  was 


44i  MEiioms  OF 

ad  mil  ted  into  the  Union,  (ITOG,)  Mr.  Jackson  wa« 
appointed  major-general  of  the  militia  of  that  state. 
As  the  whole  of  its  militia  was  then  embraced  in 
one  division,  Gen.  Jackson  was  the  actual  command- 
er in  chief  of  the  whole  military  force  of  the  state; 
as  it  is  unusudl  for  the  governors  of  the  states,  who 
arn  c.r-q/^'c7o,  captain-generals,  to  command  in  per- 
son. But  for  many  years  before  the  commencement 
of  the  last  war,  the  command  of  a  major-general 
"vvas  rather  iiombial  ih^n  real — a  wliole  division  be- 
ing seldom  called  out  together.  But  upon  Gen. 
Jackson  the  people  depended  for  an  efficient  organi- 
zation of  their  military  force. 

Without  derogating  at  all  from  the  high  repu- 
tation of  the  militia  of  the  American  Republic,  pro- 
bably the  most  efficient  in  the  world,  the  history  of 
our  country  will  justify  the  remark,  that  it  is  a  spe- 
cies of  force  that  cannot  be  relied  upon,  excepting 
in  sudden  emergencies.  In  the  revolutionary  war, 
notwithstanding  the  imperfections  of  their  organi- 
zatian,  they  certainly  aided  essentially  in  establish- 
ing our  independence.  But  how  often,  during  that 
portentous  period,  was  the  Commander  in  Chief,  and 
other  commanders,  left  with  an  handful  of  "Conti- 
nental Troops,"  to  wander  through  a  country  where 
a  regiment  of  militia  could  scarcely  be  raised,  to  lake 
the  field  for  any  length  of  time  ?  They  might  be 
brought,  from  the  principles  of  self-preservation,  to 
defend  their  home,  and  to  repel  an  enemy  from  their 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  fe 

immediatc  neighbourhood,  but  could  with  difficulty 
be  brought  to  follow  the  apparently  desperate  for- 
tune of  the  Chief  to  a  distant  portion  of  the  country. 
Had  not  the  "  Continental  Army"  been  organized, 
and  been  brought  to  consider  themselves  as- solid iers 
of  the  whole  American  Republic — Cornwallis  might 
have  ultimately  surrendered — but  it  is  doul){ful 
whether  Washington  would  have  conquered  him  in 
1781.  At  the  commencement  of  the  last  war,  the 
militia  of  the  United  States  had  enjoyed  a  period  of 
peace  for  thirty  years.  The  acts  of  Congress,  and 
of  the  individual  states,  made  every  possible  saluta- 
ry provision  to  give  to  that  force  respectability  and 
efficiency.  This  body  then  consisted  of  eight  hun- 
dred thousand  men  ;  an  hundred  thousand  of  whom 
were  drafted  for  the  service  of  the  United  States, 
The  collisions  between  the  state  governments  and 
that  of  the  Union— the  jealousies  between  the  offi- 
cers of  the  army  and  those  of  the  militia,  are  within 
the  recollection  of  every  reader;  but  i\iQ  detail  be- 
longs more  properly  to  The  History  of  the  Second 
War  between  the  American  Republic  and  the  King-^ 
doinof  Great- Brit ainjih^Ln  to  The  Memoirs  of  Major* 
General  Jackssn. 

In  1812,  Gen.  Jackson,  being  still  major-general 
of  the  Tennessee  miliUa,  was  called  by  the  dictates 
of  patriotism,  and  his  ardent  love  of  his  country,  to 
espouse  its  cause  in  the  field,  as  he  had  spent  much 
Qf.  his  life  in  advocating  its  interests  in  the  ca^^a^^ 


46  MEMOIRS    OF 

With  the  sagacity  of  a  statesman,  and  with  the  feel- 
ings of  a  patriot,  he  had  long  seen  a  storm  gathering 
over  his  beloved  country.  He  had  seen  one  Repub- 
lic after  another  fall  in  Europe,  before  the  tremen- 
dous power  of  the  "  Allied  Sovereigns."  He  had 
seen  the  best  and  the  last  hopes  of  man  blasted  and 
almost  annihilated  in  Europe,  by  the  uplifted  arm  of 
despotic  power.  He  had  seen  the  British  govern- 
3ncnt,  from  the  commencement  of  the  Pitt  admin- 
istration, to  that  period,  the  head  of  this  '*  holy 
alliance"  offensive  and  defensive  against  the  rights 
of  man.  He  had  seen  that  power,  from  year  to 
year,  encroaching  upon  the  independence  whicJi  the 
American  Republic  compelled  them  to  acknowledge 
in  .ir83.  He  had  seen  the  pacific  policy  of  the 
American  government,  resorting  to  negociation 
after  negociation,  met  by  the  increasing  insolence 
of  the  arrogant  court  of  St.  James.  He  had  not 
only  seen,  but  he  and  the  people  of  Tennessee  had 
for  many  years  felt,  the  eii'ect  of  British  and  Span- 
ish influence  over  tlie  Creek,  the  most  ferocious  and 
warlike  tribe  of  Indians  upon  the  continent.  For 
many  years  this  tribe  carried  on  a  predatory  .vdr- 
fare  against  the  settlements  of  Tennessee,  especially 
upon  the  Cumberland  river,  upon  uhich  Gen.  Jack- 
son resided.  lie  and  the  people,  without  any  aid 
from  the  general  government,  had  defrnded  them- 
selves from  the  frequent  incursions  of  this  insidious 
and  barbarous  foe.     In  this  way  the  people  of  Ten- 


ANDREW   JACKSOy.  47 

lessee  had  learned  the   horrors  of  Indian  ^varfa^e 
from  their  own  sufferings. 

The  history  of  the  world  scarcely  furnishes  a  par- 
allel with  the  suiierings  of  the  Europeans  upon  the 
continent  of  America.  Nor  does  it  furnish  a  paral- 
lel with  the  injuries  which  the  native  Americans 
have  sustained  from  Europeans*  The  conquest  of 
South  America,  by  the  Spaniards,  was  marked  with 
more  sanguinary  violations  of  the  rights  of  humani- 
ty, than  any  conquest  from  that  of  Canaan  to  the 
nineteenth  century  of  the  Christian  era.  As  little  as 
we  know  of  its  blood-stained  history,  we  have,  from 
infancy,  wept  over  the  calamities  of  the  FncaF  of 
Peru,  and  of  the  countless  legions  of  their  unhappy 
subjects.  Through  the  eye  of  history,  we  see  the 
powerful  agents  of  h''s  most  Catholic  majesty  arrive 
among  these  happy  natives.  With  an  exterminating 
sword  in  one  hand,  and  with  the  word  of  God  in 
the  other,  these  early  missionaries  demanded  the 
immediate  conversion  of  a  whole  people  to  Chris- 
tianity. The  artless  ions  of  nature,  who  supposed 
the  most  splendid  object  was  the  fittest  one  to  be 
adored,  offered  their  adoration  to  the  Sun.  They 
could  not  adore  an  invisible  being,  who  made  no  im- 
pression upon  their  senses.  An  army  with  the  wea- 
pons of  destruction  and  death,  was  ready  to  aid  the 
priesthood  in  the  work  of  conversion.  One  Inca, 
fell  with  his  nation  after  another,  with  their  inex- 
haustible treasures,   into  the  hands  of   Christian 


48  MEMOIRS  or 

Spaniards,  and  at  this  time  the  aborigines  of  S. 
America  scarcely  have  an  existence. 

In  North  America,  the  acqutsitions  of  Europeans 
were  attended  with  circumstances  less  bloody;  but 
the  natives  weie  compelled  by  arms,  or  by  contracts 
-enforced  by  them,  to  retire  as  they  advanced  in 
settlements.  The  tomahawk  and  the  arrow,  were 
feeble,  compared  with  fire-arms  and  bayonets.  Al- 
though they  were  compelled  to  surrender  their  ter- 
ritory, their  native  pride  and  heroic  courage  was 
never  subju-iated.  They  retired  before  their  con- 
querors; and  as  their  territory  was  wrested  from 
them  by  fraud,  or  by  force,  and  as  their  numbers 
were  diminished  by  disease,  and  by  war,  their 
vengeance  against  their  spoilers  increased.  But 
one  sentiment  prevailed  among  them  from  the  Isth- 
musof  Darien  to  the  North- West  coast — from  the 
Atlantic  to  the  Wtstern  ocean.  The  broken  rem- 
nants of  some  few  tribes  have  indeed  been  brought 
to  \>ury  the  hatchet ;  but  they  never  have  been,  and 
probably  never  will  be,  cordially  reconciled  to  the 
white  population.  The  hostile  savages  by  priva- 
tions the  most  severe,  by  tortures  the  most  cruel, 
and  by  deathc  the  most  horrible,  still  wreak  their 
vengeance  upon  the  descendants  of  those  who  first 
invaded  their  native  soil. 

In  about  the  year  1810,  a  blind  religious  fanati- 
cism was  added  to  ilip  natural  ferocity  of  the  Amer- 
ican savages,     A  l^rophct  arose  among  them,  aud 


ANDREW   JACKSON,  4g 

Claimed  divine  power,   derived  directly  from  the 
Great  Spirit.     This  immense  accession  to  human 
power,  was  do  less  calculated  to  fascinate  savages 
than  It  ever  has  been  to  excite  the  veneration  of  that 
part  of  mankind  who  claim  to  be  civilized.    The 
American  savage  Francis,  had  as  many  claims  to 
the  character  and  inspiration  of  Prophet,  as  the  Asi- 
atic  civilian  Mahomet;  and  had  he  possessed  emial 
power  to  make  conquests  and  converts,  under  the 
banners  of  divinity,  he  might  hereafter  have  had  as 
many  followers.    But  Gen.  Harrison  disrobed  him 
of  his  divinity  at  Tipp^caxob,    in  1811,  and  his 
brother  lecwnseh,  fled  to  the  southern  tribes  upon 
the  Alabama,  early  in  the  year  1813,  to  inspire  the 
savages  there,  to  act  in  concert  ivith  their  red  breth 
ren  m  the  north.     But  nothing  inspired  the  Creek 
Alabama,  and  Seminole  Indians  so  much  as  British 
and  Spanish  gold,  British  muskets,  and  British  pro- 
raises    With  their  hereditary  hatred  against  Ameri- 
cans (or  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,)  added 
0  the  enthusiasm  excited   by  Tccumseh,  and  the 
iberal  aid  of  the  British  and  Spanish  governments, 
hese  powerful  tribes,  at  the  commencen.ent  of  the 
ast  war  were  prepared  to  spread  havoc,  devasfa- 
tion  torture  and  Jeath,  among  the  Americans  who 
bordered  upon  their  territory. 

The  states  of  Tennessee  and  Georgia,  from  their 
vicmity  to  the  immense  country  inhabited  by  the 
Creeks,  w«c  more  immediately  exposed  to  the  hor- 


\^  50  MEMOIRS  OF 

rid  ravages  of  Indian  warfare.  Familiarized  to 
their  unrelenting  barbarity,  the  citizens  of  Georgia 
and  Tennessee  were  fully  aware,  that  nothing  but  a 
war  of  extermination  against  the  Creeks,  would  pro- 
tect their  own  settlements  on  the  frontiers,  from  de- 
struction, and  their  families  from  wanton  barbarity. 
Tecumseh  had,  by  his  art,  his  eloquence,  and  his 
assumed  divinity,  infused  into  the  Creek  nation  the 
most  implacable  hatred  against  the  Americans.  He 
addressed  himself  to  their  pride,  by  reminding 
them  of  the  ancient  power  of  the  savages,  and  the 
boundless  extent  of  their  territory.  He  aroused 
their  vengeance  against  Americans,  as  the  people 
who  had  reduced  their  numbers,  and  diminish- 
ed their  greatness.  He  censured  them  for  any  con- 
formity, in  any  respect,  to  the  Americans,  and  ex- 
horted them,  upon  the  dreadful  penalty  of  the  dis- 
pleasure of  the  Great  Spirit,  to  return  wholly  to  the 
savage  state.  The  preaching  of  Saint  Bernard  and 
Peter  the  Monk,  had  not  a  greater  effect  upon  the 
Christians  of  Europe,  when  they  exhorted  them  to 
raise  a  crusade  against  the  infidels,  than  did  that  of 
Tecumseh  upon  the  Creek,  the  Alabama,  and  Semi- 
nole Indians.  A  complete  concert  was  established 
between  all  the  southern  tribes,  and  a  general  con- 
cert between  them  and  the  northern  ones.  War 
chiles  were  every  where  distributed-^but  the  most 
profound  secrecy  was  enjoined.  Tecumseh  had  war- 
ranted the  interposition  of  the  Great  Spirit,  and, 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  51 

what  he  had  much  better  authority  for  doing,  that 
of  Great-Britain,  in  favour  of  the  savages. 

The  confidence  of  the  savages  in  the  success  that 
would  attend  them  and  their  Christian  allies,  the 
British,  was  efTectualiy  confirmed.  It  was  an  estab- 
lished  principle  with  them  to  give  no  quarters,  nor 
to  ask  any.  Pursuant  to  this  system,  they  had,  be- 
fore  the  commencement  of  the  last  war,  murdered 
many  families  upon  the  frontiers  of  Georgia  and 
Tennessee,  and  seemed  resolved  to  extirpate  the 
Americans,  or  be  exterminated  themselves. 

This  brief  sketch  may  be  deemed  a  digression; 
but  I  considered  it  necessary  to  prepare  the  mind 
of  the  reader  for  the  succinct  account  which  will 
foliow,  of  the  part  taken  by  Gen.  Jackson  in  the 
sanguinary  war  carried  on  by  him  and  the  gallant 
army  under  his  command  against  the  Creeks. 

The  act  of  Congress,  of  1815,  authorising  the 
raismg  of  a  volunteer  corps,  of  fifty  thousand  men, 
to  serve  one  year  within  t?vo  years  after  they  were' 
organized,  induced  Gen.  Jackson  to  address  the 
gallant  sons  of  Tennessee  belonging  to  his  division. 
Perhaps  no  man  in  the  American  Republic  could 
address  his  fellovy-citizens  with  more  confidence  of 
success,  than  Gen.  Jackson-certain  it  is  that  no 
once  addressed  them  so  successfully.     In  a  very 
short  time,  he  found  his  standard,  at  Nashville,  sur- 
rounded by  tu  enty.five  hundred  men,  among  whom 
were  many  of  the  first  families  and  of  the  greatest 


62  MEMOIRS    OF 

fortunes.  It  was  not  that  wordy  and  paper  patriot- 
ism which  filled  many  of  the  journals  of  the  day 
with  inflated  resolutions,  pledging  to  the  Republic 
the  *'  liveSi  fonune^  and  honour'^'*  of  those  who  pas- 
sed them.  These  men  came  in  person  to  serve  their 
country,  rather  than  in  a  town-meeting  to  resolve 
that  they  would  do  it.  Gen.  Jackson  voluntarily 
offered  his  service  to  his  country,  instead  of  solicit- 
ing an  office  from  its  government.  The  General  and 
his  army  of  volunteers,  made  a  tender  of  their  ser- 
vices to  government,  and  in  November,  1812,  were 
accepted,  and  became  a  part  of  the  national  force. 

When  this  corps  of  volunteers  was  organized, 
they  little  thought,  perhaps,  what  arduous  duty 
would  be  allotted  to  them ;  and  had  they  antici- 
pated it,  the  glory  they  afterwards  acquired,  would 
hardly  have  been  thought  a  sufficient  reward  for 
the  excessive  fatigues  and  hazards  they  endured  in 
acquiring  it.  Their  achievements  shall  be  recorded 
with  scrupulous  regard  to  accuracy,  and  their  aber» 
rations  from  duty  shall  be  mentioned  with  all  the 
delicacy  that  is  consistent  with  truth. 


ANDREW  JACKSOX.  53 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Gen.  Jackson  and  Tennessee  Volunteers— Importance  of  the  river 
Mississippi— Mr.  Monroe's  solicitude  for  the  security  of  it,  and  the 
Western  States— Volunteers  rendezvous  at  Nashville,  Tenn.— de- 
scend the  Ohio  and  Mississippi— encamp  at  Natchez— Order  for 
their  discharge  from  Mr,  Armstrong— disobeyed  by  Gen .  Jackson- 
Volunteers  return  to  Tennessee,  and  are  discharged— Approbation 
of  the  government. 

The  avidity  and  promptitude  with  which  the 
large  and  respectable  Corps  of  Tennessee  Volun- 
teers resorted  to  the  standard  of  their  beloved 
and  respected  commander,  Andrew  Jackson,  was  a 
sure  presage  of  the  gallantry  with  which  they  would 
support  the  independence,  rights,  and  honour  of  the 
Republic  against  a  savage  and  implacable  foe  upon 
the  borders  of  their  native  state,  and  against  the 
most  powerful  and  veteran  nation  in  Europe,  now 
in  alliance  with  them. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  last  war,  it  was  im- 
possible for  the  government  to  determine  upon  what 
part  of  our  extended  sea- board  the  naval  forces  of 
Britain  would  first  attempt  to  make  a  demonstra- 
Hon;  or  upon  what  part  of  our  frontier  its  armies 
would  attempt  to  invade  our  territory.  The  im- 
mense  importance  of  the  command  of  the  Missis- 
sippi,  and  its  tributary  streams,  could  not  escape 
E  2 


54  MEMOIKS    OF 

the  attention  of  either  the  American  or  British 
governments.  Every  exertion  therefore  of  the  one 
to  retain,  and  of  the  other  to  acquire  it,  might  well 
be  expected.  The  lower  states  and  territories  situ- 
ated upon  this  important  river,  attracted  the  early 
attention  of  government,  and  induced  the  most  efR- 
eient  measures  for  their  defence. 

Blr.  Monroe,  for  some  time  previous,  and  during 
the  whole  war,  was  a  member  of  the  American 
cabinet.  As  ambassador  of  the  American  Republic 
at  the  court  of  France,  he  had  negociated  the 
treaty  for  the  accession  of  Louisiana  to  the  United 
States;  and  must  have  felt  a  deep  solicitude  in  the 
rising  importance  of  the  Western  States.  He  was 
aware,  that  without  the  command  of  the  Mississippi, 
they  would  lose  their  future  importance,  and  be  at 
present  subjected  to  the  rapacity  of  British  soldiery, 
and  the  horrors  of  savage  warfare.  Although  the 
war  department,  until  the  campaign  of  1814,  was 
not  under  his  immediate  control,  and  although  he 
was  not  directly  implicated  in  the  disasters  of  those 
of  1812,  and  1813  ;  he  nevertheless,  as  one  of  the 
first  officers  in  the  cabinet,  felt  a  high  degree  of 
responsibility.  In  regard  to  the  Mississippi  river, 
as  he  may  almost  be  said  to  have  acquired  it  for  his 
country,  he  must  have  felt  a  deep  interest  in  secur- 
ing the  incalculable  benefits  arising  to  the  Republic^ 
especially  to  the  Western  States,  from  the  exclusive 
command  of  it. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  53 

The  Tennessee  volunteers,  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  Jackson,  at  the  close  of  the  year  1812, 
were  ordered  to  proceed  down  the  Ohio  and  Missis- 
sippi, for  the  defence  of  the  lower  states  against  an 
expected  attack  of  the  British  forces.  The  deep 
laid  plot  of  the  Indians  already  mentioned,  was  not 
yet  ready  for  execution  ;  nor  were  the  American 
settlers  exposed  to  their  immediate  ravages,  excited 
to  make  any  but  the  ordinary  preparations  of  de- 
fence against  these  insidious,  cruel,  and  infernal 
enemies.  The  Creeks  were  apparently  indifferent 
spectators  to  the  contest  which  had  now  commenced 
between  the  American  Republic,  and  the  kingdom 
of  Great  Britain. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  year  1813,  Gen.  Jackson 
and  his  fine  corps  of  Tennessee  volunteers,  having 
previously  rendezvoused  at  Nashville,  in  Tennes- 
see, situated  upon  the  south  bank  of  Cumberland 
river,  prepared  to  execute  the  orders  received  to 
descend  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi.  Although  situa- 
ted in  a  mild  and  salubrious  climate,  enduring  but 
little  severity  in  comparison  with  the  more  frigid 
regions  of  the  northern  states,  the  country  at  this 
time  was  covered  with  snow,  and  the  navigation  of 
the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  was  obstructed  and  ren- 
dered difficult  and  hazardous  by  ice. 

The  volunteers  had  thus  far  enjoyed  the  anima- 
ting splendour  of  military  life,  but  were  yet  unac- 
quainted with  its  toils,  fatigues,  and  privationsr 


5Q  MEMeiRS    OF 

Upon  the  rth  January,  1813,  headed  in  person  by 
a  leader  whom  they  esteemed  as  an  accomplished 
commander,  and  an  affectionate  guardian,  they  com- 
menced an  expedition,  in  which  they  hoped  to  ren- 
der essential  service  to  their  country,  which  they 
loved  better  than  they  did  their  lives,  and  to  acquire 
for  themselves  the  reputation  of  patriotic  soldiers. 
Animated  by  tlie  example  of  Gen.  Jackson,  they 
endured  the  hardships  of  a  long  and  tedious  passage, 
without  a  murmur,  and  submitted  to  the  discipline 
indispensably  necessary  in  an  army,  without  the 
least  appearance  of  insubordination.  They  arriv- 
ed at  Natchez,  about  three  hundred  miles  above 
New-Orleans,  where  they  were  ordered  to  rendez- 
vous until  further  orders. 

Gen.  Jackson  having  selected  the  most  judicious 
situation  for  the  encampment  of  his  army,  here 
commenced  the  arduous  and  difficult  duty  of  chang- 
ing citizens  to  soldiers.  The  Tennessee  volunteers 
had  seen  nothing  of  military  life,  except  the  easy 
and  pleasurable  duty  usually  performed  by  militia 
in  time  of  peace,  and  occasional  excursions  against 
small  parties  of  savages.  Had  they  enlisted  into 
the  army  of  the  Republic,  received  a  liberal  bounty 
from  its  treasury,  and  been  certain  of  regular  pay- 
ment of  wages  while  in  service,  and  a  valuable  tract 
of  land  when  discharged  ;  a  cheerful  submission  to 
niiMtary  discipline  might  have  been  expected,  and 
a  necessary  one  enforced.     These  patriotic  volun- 


ANDREW    JACKSjC/^.  ^57 

teers  thought  little  of  a  pecuniary  reward ;  but 
were  inspired,  by  the  impulse  of  patriotism,  to  be- 
come disciplined  soldiers  out  of  principle. 

But  no  sooner  had  they  began  to  learn  the  duties 
of  the  camp,  and  to  acquire  the  science  of  war, 
than  an  order  from  the  war  department  was  receiv- 
ed by  Gen.  Jackson,  commanding  him  to  ''dismiss 
his  volunteers,  and  deliver  all  public  property  in  his 
possession  to  Major-General  Wilkinson,^'  then  com- 
manding the  military  district  in  which  they  were 
stationed.  Mr.  Armstrong  was  then  Secretary  at 
War.  It  is  not  for  the  historian  or  the  biographer 
to  inquire  into  motives,  or  to  impeach  them;  but 
when  the  fact  is  stated  that  this  order  bore  date  the 
5th  of  January,  1813,  two  days  before  Gen.  Jack- 
son  moved  with  his  forces  from  Nashville,  and  was 
not  received  until  sometime  after  he  established  his 
cantonment  at  Natchez,  almost  five  hundred  miles 
below,  the  reader  may  well  exclaim,  in  the  language 
of  the  Prince  of  the  Drama—"  there  is  a  spirit  in 
the  affairs  of  state,  which  nor  tongue,  nor  pen  can 
give  expressure  to^^ 

A  compliance  with  this  order  would  have  been 
an  abandonment  of  his  corps.  Although  among 
them  were  many  men  possessed  of  ample  funds  and 
adequate  means  to  travel  half  a  thousand  miles  to 
their  homes,  yet  they  little  thought,  when  they  en- 
tered  the  service  of  their  country,  that  they  should 
be  so  soon  compelled  to  expend  their  wealth,  as 


58  MEMOIRS    OF 

well  as  expose  their  lives  and  health  in  its  defence. 
A  very  great  number  were  wholly  destitute  of  the 
means  of  subsistence,  and  depended  wholly  upon 
the  public  stores  in  their  possession  for  the  support 
of  life  while  in  camp,  and  upon  their  return  march 
through  a  country,  either  very  thinly  inhabited  or 
a  uilderness.  A  third  class  were  in  a  situation  still 
more  deplorable  ;  indeed  in  a  state  of  absolute  des- 
titution— destitute  of  health,  destitute  of  resources, 
and,  as  a  general  consequence,  destitute  of  hope. 
The  sick  list  numbered  between  one  hundred  and 
fifty  and  two  hundred ;  many  of  whom  were  lan- 
guishing under  extreme  debility. 

It  is  difficult  to  conceive  of  a  situation  more  dis- 
tressing and  responsible  than  that  in  which  Gen. 
Jackson  was  placed  by  this  order  from  JMr.  Arm- 
strong. Obedience  to  it,  would  have  been  casting 
most  of  his  patriotic  followers  upon  a  pity  less  world 
in  an  inclement  season,  and  destitute  of  resources — 
disobedience  of  the  order  would  subject  iiini  to  mil 
itary  punishment,  unless  the  peculiar  circumstan 
ces  of  the  case  should  be  deemed  sufficient  to  ex 
cuse  him  from  the  operation  of  military  law.  Af- 
ter consultation  with  his  officers,  who,  at  first,  ac 
corded  with  him  in  opinion,  he  assured  the  Secre 
tary  at  War,  that  the  order  would  be  disregarded  ; 
and  that  a  sufficient  quantity  of  the  public  stores 
would  be  retained  to  aid  his  volunteers  in  returning 
to  their  homes. 


ANDJIEW   JACKSON.  59 

Gen.  Willvinson  was  advised  of  the  order  of  the 
war  department,  and  of  the  determination  of  Gen. 
Jackson  in  regard  to  it.  Clothed  with  the  authori- 
ty of  the  government — commanding  one  of  the 
most  extensive  military  districts  in  the  Republic — 
anxious  to  augment  his  stores,  and  increase  the 
number  of  his  own  troops,  he  endeavoured  to  inti- 
midate Gen.  Jackson  into  obedience  of  the  order, 
by  forewarning  him  of  the  alarming  consequences 
to  himself  of  disobedience.  Some  of  his  own  offi- 
cers retracted  their  first  decision,  and  advised  a 
compliance  with  the  order.  Even  the  quarter- 
master endeavoured  to  compel  him  to  the  measure, 
by  omitting  to  take  the  necessary  steps  preparatory 
to  the  commencement  of  the  return  march.  Cool, 
collected,  and  unembarrassed,  Gen.  Jackson  now 
took  counsel  from  his  own  judgment,  and  the  re- 
sponsibility of  his  conduct  upon  his  own  head  ;  know- 
ing, that  if  called  to  do  it,  he  could  justify  him- 
self  before  any  forum,  excepting  one  that  had  pre- 
judged his  case.  He  gave  orders  for  breaking  up 
the  encampment,  and  for  commencing  the  move- 
ment which  uas  to  conduct  his  volunteers  to  the 
place  of  original  rendezvous ;  and  gave  it  in  such 
a  manner,  and  accompanied  it  with  such  acts,  as 
to  convince  all,  that  from  this  decision  there  was  no 
appeal. 

The  gloom  and  dejection  which  pervaded  this 
corps,  when  the  order  from  the  war  department  was 


60  MEMoms  or 

received,  was  converted  to  the  exbilirafion  of  joy 
when  the  determination  of  their  general  m  as  made 
known.  The  wagons  were  used  for  the  transporta- 
tion of  the  sick  ;  and  even  the  horses  of  the  general 
and  his  staiT  were  cheerfully  surrendered  for  that 
purpose  when  necfssary.  During  a  march  of  near- 
ly five  hundred  miles,  Gen.  Jackson  evinced,  by 
his  uniform  conduct,  that  although  his  situation 
compelled  him  to  act  as  a  soldier,  "  he  felt  like  a 
man.''^  To  the  high  respect  which  was  at  all  times 
felt  by  the  Tennessee  volunteers  for  Gen.  Jackson, 
was  now  added  the  most  ardent  attachment. 
They  almost  forgot  the  dignity  of  the  general,  in 
the  more  amiable  and  endearing  qualities  of  the 
patron  and  the  friend.  This  corps,  having  endur- 
ed the  privations  of  the  camp,  and  the  fatigues  of 
marching  and  counter-marching,  without  having 
yet  acquired  any  of  the  laurels  which  are  reaped 
in  the  field  of  battle,  were  discharged  about  the  1st 
of  May,  1813.  But  the  ardent  patriotism,  regula- 
ted by  a  spirit  of  subordination,  which  they  shewed 
in  this  first  scene  of  military  life,  justified  the  high 
expectation  which  was  entertained  of  them,  and 
which  was  afterwards  so  amply  gratified  by  their 
splendid  military  achievements. 

The  course  pursued  by  Gtn.  Jackson  in  regard 
to  Mr.  Armstrong's  order,  and  the  volunteers,  may 
meet  with  the  animadversion  of  the  mere  officer, 
who  acquired  his  knowledge  of  tactics  from  booksy 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  61 

and  his  ideas  of  subordination  from  reading  the  ar- 
ticles of  war ;  but  his  conduct  was  approbated  by 
the  administration,  and  the  whole  expenses  of  the 
expedition  paid  out  of  the  public  treasury.  The 
military  ardour  of  Gen.  Jackson  was  not  damped 
by  the  critical  and  even  dangerous  circumstances 
in  which  he  had  recently  been  placed — dangerous, 
more  from  the  machinations  of  official  intrigue, 
than  from  the  open  enemies  of  the  country.  The 
first  he  had  too  much  magnanimity  even  to  sus- 
pect— the  last  he  had  courage  enough  to  face  in 
every  possible  situation. 


$2  MEMOIRS    Of 


CHAPTER  V. 

Approbation  and  censure  of  Gen.  Jackson — implacable  hostility  of 
savages  increased  by  British  and  Spanish  emissaries,  and  British 
ravages — Indian  massacre  of  garrison,  women  and  children,  at 
Fort  Mimms— Expedition  from  Tennessee  against  Creeks  prepar- 
ed— Gen.  Jackson  assumes  the  command — Colonel  Coffee — differ- 
ence between  Militia,  Volunteers,  and  Regular  Troops— General 
Jackson  proceeds  to  the  frontiers — prepares  for  active  service — 
Deficiency  of  provisions — Col.  Dyer  destroys  Littafutches — First 
victory  over  the  Creeks  at  Tallushatches—Gen.  Coffee's  report  of 
it  to  Gen.  Jackson. 

The  superficial  reader  of  biography,  feds  im- 
patient to  arrive  at  the  developenient  of  the  dis- 
tinguished character  who  is  the  subject  of  it.  The 
more  critical  examiner,  traces  the  progress  of  the 
Statesman,  the  Soldier,  and  the  Scholar,  from  the 
first  dawn  of  his  greatness,  to  the  meridian  of  his 
glory.  The  untutored  imagination  will  utter  vo- 
ciferous hosannas  to  the  memories  of  the  great ;  bat 
they  are  as  destitute  of  meaning,  as  were  the  enthu- 
siastic praises  bestowed  by  the  Ephesians,  upon  the 
goddess  Dianna.  That  applause  which  is  oiiered 
by  intelligence  to  merit,  is  the  only  commendation 
which  a  great  and  a  good  man  wishes  to  receive 
when  in  life,  and  it  is  the  only  sentence  which  will 
embalm  his  memory  after  his  death.  The  same 
remarks  may  be  applied  to  the  censure  which  the 


ANDREW   JACKSON. 


62 


world  generally  bestows  with  more  liberality  than 
it  does  its  praise.  It  has  been  shewn  that  Gen. 
Jackson  had  scarcely  entered  the  threshold  of  his 
military  life,  before  the  cheering  voice  of  approba- 
tion, as  well  as  the  dissonant  notes  of  censure,  met 
his  ear.  But  he  was  then,  and  is  now,  a  man  whom 
merited  praise  cannot  enervate,  and  whom  unjust 
censure  cannot  intimidate. 

In  the  third  chapter  of  this  work,  the  reasons 
were  briefly  stated  why  the  Aborigines  of  AmericEj 
are  so  implacably  hostile  to  the  Anglo-Americans, 
especially  to  the  citizens  of  the  American  Republic. 
They  have  been  taught  to  believe  that  their  Great 
Fathers,  beyond  the  great  waters,  occupying  the 
thrones  of  Britain  and  Spain,  are  their  friends  and 
protectors;  while  the  Americans  are  their  enemies 
and  destroyers.  The  emissaries  of  these  great  po- 
tentates themselves,  will  always  disseminate  and  en- 
courage this  sentiment,  as  long  as  they  have  colo- 
nies bordering  upon  the  United  States  ;  and  as  long 
as  they  need  savages  as  allieSy  to  aid  them  in  their 
<^uixotic  views  of  recolonizing  them. 

Lest  this  fact  may,  by  some  be  thought  to  be 
too  confidently  stated,  I  quote  the  following  from 
the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations, 
to  whom  was  referred  the  Manifesto  of  President 
Madison,  of  the  1st  June,  1812, — «'  It  is  known  that 
symptoms  of  British  hostility  towards  the  United 
Stales,  have  never  failed  to  produce  corresponding 


br4j  MEMOIRS   OF 

symptoms  among  those  tribes.  ["  Savage  tribes  on 
eur  frontiers.^*]  It  is  also  wel!  known,  that  on  all 
iuch  occasions,  abundant  supplies  of  the  ordinary 
munitions  of  war,  have  been  afforded  by  the  agents 
of  British  commercial  companies,  and  even  from 
British  garrisons,  wherewith  they  were  enabled  to 
commence  that  system  of  savage  warfare  on  our 
frontiers,  which  has  been,  at  all  times,  indiscrimi- 
nate in  its  effect,  on  all  ages,  sexes,  and  conditions, 
and  so  revolting  to  humanity.**  This  is  confined  to 
British  emissaries.  Before  the  reader  reaches  the 
close  of  these  brief  Memoirs,  he  will  be  furnished 
Nyith  evidence  "strong  as  proof  of  holy  writ''  of 
the  more  aggravated  injuries  of  the  emissaries  of 
Ferdinand  VII.  of  Spain. 

It  was  not  until  the  British  fleets  had  commen- 
ced their  ravages  upon  our  then  defenceless  sea- 
ports; and  the  British  armies  had  began  the  work 
of  devastation  upon  our  then  unprotected  frontiers, 
that  the  Creek  Indians,  as  a  tribe,  advanced  for  a 
similar  purpose,  to  the  borders  of  the  states  of 
Georgia,  Tennessee,  and  Mississippi.  The  last  men- 
tioned state,  then  a  territorial  government,  felt  the 
first  disastrous  shock  from  a  concealed  storm  that 
had  long  hung  in  awful  silence  upon  its  borders. 

The  Spanish  government,  the  consummate  du- 
plicity of  which  is  equalled  only  by  the  horrors  of 
its  despotism,  had  long  furnished  the  Creeks  with 
arms  and  aramuniliun,  the  better  to  enable  them 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  65 

to  destroy  the  rapidly  increasing  settlements  of  the 
states  bordering  upon  Florida.  As  before  men- 
tioned, these  states  had  defended  themselves  with 
but  little  aid  from  the  general  government. 

In  August  1813,  a  garrison  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men,  was  stationed  in  a  settlement  called  Ten- 
saw,  in  the  state  of  Mississippi.  They  occupied  an 
incomplete  fortress,  called  Fort  Mimms,  at  Ten^alo, 
to  which  many  females  and  children  had  resorted 
for  protection  against  the  enkindled  wrath  of  the 
Creek  Indians,  who  had  before,  in  small  parties, 
wantonly  murdered  a  number  of  families.  The 
whole  amounted  to  nearly  400  at  the  fort.  But 
the  garrison  and  the  inhabitants  were  unsuspicious 
of  a  general  movement  of  these  ferocious  sons  of 
the  forest. 

Upon  the  30th  of  August,  the  furious  storm  of 
savage  warfare  burst  upon  them  with  all  its  appal- 
ing  horrors.  From  six  hundred  to  a  thousand 
savages  commenced  an  assault.  The  most  veteran 
courage  was  imbecility  itself  against  such  an  over- 
whelming superiority  of  force.  The  tragical  scene 
that  followed  the  possession  of  Fort  Mimms,  by  the 
Creeks,  no  mind  can  conceive — no  tongue  can  ex- 
press— no  pen  can  describe  !  The  savages,  having 
long  before  resolved  to  ask  no  quarters,  nor  to  grant 
any,  began  and  completed  the  dreadful  work  of 
human  carnage.  The  demand  of  the  soldier  lor 
quarters,  was  as  ineffectual  as  the  heart-piercing 
F  2 


66  MEMOIRS    Of 

entreaties  of  the  mother,  to  spare  her  life  and  that 
of  her  child.  A  general  slaughter  was  made ;  and 
out  of  about  three  hundred  and  seventy  persons, 
soldiers,  women  and  children,  in  and  about  the  fort, 
but  seventeen  escaped. 

The  Indians  entered  one  of  the  gates  of  the  fort, 
and  set -fire  to  an  old  building  within  it.  Major 
Beasli/  commanded  ;  and  with  a  band  that  reminds 
the  reader  of  the  Spartan  band*  of  Leonidas  at 
Thermopylae,  maintained  a  conflict  with  more  than 
four  times  their  force,  until  they  slew  more  than 
their  own  numbers.  While  this  forlorn  hope  were 
gelling  their  lives  in  the  fort,  the  aged  men,  the 
helpless  women,  and  shrieking  children,  were  per- 
ishing in  the  flames  in  the  upper  story  of  the  burn- 
ing building.  To  use  the  impressive  language  of 
one  who  was  near  this  scene  of  carnage — "  Under 
the  double  influence  of  British  gold  and  furious  fa- 
naticism, the  savages  fought  in  a  manner  scarcely 
to  be  credited.  The  fight  was  so  obstinately  main- 
tained, for  a  long  time,  that  the  opponents,  overcome 
by  fatigue  and  exertion,  loaded  their  pieces  delibe- 
rately, and  shot  each  other  down,  or  were  mutually 
dispatched  by  the  bayonet  and  tomahawk." 

The  solicitude  which  this  direful  catastrophe  pro- 

♦  I  find  in  many  of  the  official  reports  during  the  last  war,  a  brave 
body  of  Amtricans  is  called  "  a  Spartan  band  "  I  cannot  see  how 
an  American  bajad  should  be  a  band  of  ^partms  hojvever  brave  fRey 
may  be. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  67 

tluced,  in  all  the  exposed  settlements  upon  the  Mo- 
bile, Tombigbee,  and  in  many  other  places,  can  bet- 
ter be  imagined  than  expressed.  Although  the 
state  of  Tennessee  was  not  immediately  in  danger, 
yet  the  most  energetic  and  efficient  measures  were 
taken  to  protect  the  frontiers,  and  avenge  the  mas- 
sacre at  Fort  Mimms.  The  legislature  of  that  state 
convened  towards  the  close  of  September — authori- 
sed Governor  Blount  to  call  into  immediate  service, 
three  thousand  five  hundred  of  the  militia — and 
voted  three  hundred  thousand  dollars  for  their  sup- 
port. 

The  legislature,  and  indeed,  the  whole  popular 
tion  of  Tennessee,  fixed  their  hopes  upon  Gen.  Jack- 
son. The  confidence  of  all  in  him  was  unbounded. 
It  had  long  been  his  opinion  that  the  only  effectual 
mode  of  warfare  against  savages,  was  to  carry  war 
into  the  heart  of  their  country.  Gen.  Wayne^  many 
years  since,  and  Gen.  Harrison  more  recently  had 
evinced  the  correctness  of  this  opinion.  The  legis- 
lature accorded  with  him  in  sentiment,  and  the 
command  of  an  intended  expedition  devolved  upon 
him. 

Gen.  Jackson  had  recently  received  a  fracture  in 
his  arm,  and  a  wound  in  his  body,  in  the  settlement 
of  an  affair  of  honour,  in  an  honourable  manner. 
Under  any  other  circumstances,  the  severity  of  the 
wounds,  and  the  consequent  debility,  would  have 
detained  him  in  his  domestic  circle.    But  he  was 


68  MEMOIRS    OF 

born  fcr  his  country — his  country  demanded  his 
services;  and  the  ardent  patriotism  of  his  soul, 
made  him  forget  the  debility  of  his  bodj% 

He  was  ordered  by  Gov.  Blotmt  to  call  out  two 
thousand  militia,  and  to  rendezvous  at  Fayetteville. 
A  part  of  this  detachment  consisted  of  the  Tennes- 
see volunteers,  who  had  the  preceding  spring  return- 
ed from  Natchez.  Upon  the  4th  of  October,  1813, 
the  day  appointed,  the  troops  promptly  repaired  to 
the  place  of  rendezvous.  Colonel,  soon  after  Gene- 
ral Coffee,  in  the  mean  time,  had  raised  five  hundred 
mounted  volunteers,  and  was  authorised  to  augment 
his  force,  by  adding  to  it  the  volunteer  mounted 
riflemen  who  might  offer  their  services.  It  would 
be  a  task  highly  grateful  to  the  author,  would  the 
prescribed  limits  of  this  work  permit,  to  give  a  brief 
sketch  of  this  accomplished  and  patriotic  officer.  It 
is  enough  to  say,  that  he  commenced  his  active  raili- 
tary  life,  with  Andrew  Jackson;  and  that  in  the 
most  disastrous  periods  of  the  Creek  war,  when,  by 
the  jealousy  of  some,  the  treachery  of  others,  the  in- 
trigues of  many,  and  the  apprehensions  of  all,  his 
general  was  left  almost  alone  in  a  wilderness  of  blood- 
seeking  barbarians,  he  remained  ^\faithful  among 
the  faithhssy^  till  the  last  conquering  stroke  was 
given.  He  followed  the  no  less  desperate  fortune 
of  Gen.  Jackson  to  Neiv-Orleans,  where  he,  with 
his  general,  and  his  gallant  army,  acquired  Jaurels 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  G9 

which  will  never  fade,  until  men  cease  to  appreciate 
exalted  patriotism. 

Upon  the  7th  October,  Gen.  Jackson  repaired  to 
the  rendezvous  at  Fayetteville  ;  and  although  in  a 
state  of  indisposition  which  required  the  repose  of 
the  hospital,  rather  than  in  that  vigorous  health 
which  is  necessary  to  endure  the  fatigue*  of  the 
camp,  and  a  march  through  the  wilderness,  he  as- 
sumed the  command  of  the  army  designed  to  avenge 
the  blood  of  their  countrymen,  and  to  conquer  the 
most  warlike  tribe  of  barbarians  in  the  universe.  It 
might  be  deemed  presumptuous  to  say,  that  Gen. 
Jackson  was  the  only  man  in  Tennessee,  who  could 
successfully  command  an  army  destined  to  accom- 
plish this  arduous  and  perilous  duty;  but  it  may, 
without  hesitation  be  said,  that  no  man  at  that  time, 
had  so  completely  secured  the  confidence,  and  raised 
the  hopes  of  the  civil  and  military  power  of  that 
state  as  he. 

He  found  the  troops  assembled,  deficient  in  num- 
bers, and  was  aware  that  few  of  them  had  *'  seen 
service."  The  difi"erence  between  drafted  militia, 
volunteer  troops,  and  enlisted  soldiers,  has  been 
slightly  alluded  to.  It  will  readily  be  acknowledg- 
ed by  every  officer  and  every  soldier  in  the  late  war. 
It  does  not  arise  from  a  difference  of  patriotism  or 
courage,  for  both  are  inherent  with  all  true  Ameri- 
cans. It  may  probably  be  imputed  to  the  differ- 
ence in  their  organization.     The  Militia,  in  times  of 


70  MEMOIRS    OF 

peace,  consider  the  perfoniianre  of  military  service 
rather  as  a  pastime,  than  a  duty;  and  cannot  be 
brought,  suddenly,  to  submit  to  the  rigid  discipline 
of  the  camp.  The  Volunteers  are  impelled  by  love 
©f  cotintry,  and  a  thirst  for  fame,  to  fly,  unasked,  to 
the  standard  of  the  Republic;  but  when  the  im- 
pulse that  Jed  them  there  has  subsided,  and  they 
find  that  glory  is  to  be  acquired  by  a  long  course 
of  severe  duty,  apathy  often  succeeds  to  animation  ; 
and  many  are  ready  to  exclaim  with  Bijron^  "7  nant 
no  other  Paradise  but  rest.**  The  soldiers  enter  the 
army  to  make  a  trade  of  war.  They  study  disci- 
pline a5  a  business;  and  courage  with  them  is  not 
only  a  principle,  but  it  is  a  system.  To  conquer,  to 
be  captured,  or  to  die,  is  a  matter  of  course  and  of 
necessity  ;  and  if  disasters  are  remediless,  when  thej 
happen,  they  endure  them  without  a  murmur. 

Gen.  Jackson,  at  the  time  he  commenced  his  sec- 
ond expedition,  and  his  first  against  the  Creeks,  had 
no  United  States'  troops  under  his  command  ;  in- 
deed, he  had  no  authority  himself  under  the  general 
government,  being  senior  major-general  of  Tennessee 
militia.  He  commenced  the  arduous  duty  of  coa- 
vertipg  citizens  to  soldiers,  and  resorted  to  every 
possible  expedient  which  a  prudent  as  well  as  an  in- 
trepid commander  could  devise  to  insure  success. 
The  previous  character — the  presence  and  example 
of  the  genenl,  inspired  the  soldiers  with  confidence, 
and  ^ave  them  victory  in  anticipation. 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  71 

6o1.  Coffee  had  penetrated  with  his  cavalry  and 
mounted  volunteers  towards  the  frontiers,  and  was 
stationed  near  Hnntsville  In  the  Creek  nation 
were  many  natives  in  amity  with  the  United  States. 
From  them,  important  information  was  obtained, 
and  by  them,  essential  service  was  rendered.  Upon 
the  8th,  Col.  Coffee  informed  Gen.  Jackson,  by  ex- 
press, that  from  information  derived  from  Indian 
runners,  the  hostile  Creeks  were  in  great  force,  and 
intended  simultaneously  to  attack  the  frontiers  of 
Georgia  and  Tennessee.  Upon  the  10th,  Gen.  Jack- 
son, in  an  unprepared  state,  took  up  the  line  of 
march;  and,  what  is  perhaps  without  a  parallel  for 
the  first  day's  march,  reached  Hnntsville  the  same 
evening,  a  distance  of  from  thirty  to  forty  miles. 
Col.  Coffee  had  reached  the  Tennessee  river,  and 
Gen.  Jackson  the  next  day  overtook  him,  and  uni- 
ted with  his  regiment  upon  the  bank  of  that  fiver. 
Aware  that  "procrastination  is  the  thief  of  time," 
and  that  the  ardour  of  raw  and  undisciplined  troops 
was  soon  cooled,  he  dispatched  Col.  Coffee  with  his 
mounted  corps,  to  explore  fhe  river  Big  Warrior 
and  Etoinb'igabi/,  commonly  called  Tombiti;bee. 

He  encamped  his  own  division  upon  the  Tennes- 
see, and  v\as  indefatigable  in  preparing  them  for 
active  service.  He  remained  here  Dut  a  week  ;  and, 
what  will  excite  the  astonishment  of  those  who  have 
witnessed  the  slow  proj^ress  of  raw  troops  to  the 
character  of  veteran  soldiers,  he  made  his  army  such 


72  MEMOIRS    OP 

in  that  time.  The  mystery  is  explained,  when  it 
is  saul,  in  this  corps,  at  this  timr,  they  found  pleas- 
ure in  the  performanceof  duty,  and  the  performance 
of  duty  was  the  enjoyment  of  pleasure. 

In  the  camp  of  Gen.  Jackson,  there  could  hardly 
be  said  to  be  a  commissary  department  at  this  time ; 
and  he  depended  upon  various  contractors  for  casu- 
al rather  than  regular  supplies  of  provisions.  An 
alarming  deficiency  was  found  to  exist,  and  an  un- 
certainty of  supplies  was  made  known.  Nothing 
could  be  so  much  calculated  to  repress  military  ar- 
dour as  this  discovery.  Men  who  would  face  death 
in  its  most  horrible  forms,  will  turn  to  children  at 
the  approach  of  famine.  Gen.  Jackson,  by  meas- 
ures the  most  efficient,  and  by  entreaties  the  most 
urgent,  endeavoured  to  secure  a  supply.  Undis- 
mayed himself,  he  set  an  example  of  cheerfulness 
before  his  followers,  that  for  a  time  dispelled  their 
apprehensions. 

At  this  critical  period,  information  was  received 
that  the  Creeks  were  embodied  near  the  Ten  Islands 
on  the  Coosa.  Collecting  what  provisions  could  be 
obtained,  but  a  few  day's  supply,  he  commenced 
his  march  upon  the  18th  for  Ihompson^s  Creek,  His 
route  led  through  a  mountainous  country,  which 
would  seem  to  have  defied  the  passage  of  an  army 
and  the  appendages  of  it.  Upon  the  22d  he 'arri- 
ved there,  where  he  remained  until  certain  informa- 
tion was  received  that  the  Creeks  woald  soon  com- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  7S 

rnencc  active  operations  upon  the  Coosa.  The  war- 
riors, to  an  amount  wholly  unknown,  but  who  were 
supposed  to  be  very  numerous,  had  assembled,  in 
warlike  array,  at  Tallushatches. 

Col.  Dyer  had  before  been  despatched  to  attack, 
and,  if  possible,  destroy  the  Indian  town  of  Litta- 
futches.  He  destroyed  the  place;  and  upon  the 
28th,  returned  to  camp  with  twenty-nine  prisoners 
of  the  hostile  Creeks,  extending  that  mercy  to  them 
by  sparing  their  lives,  which  their  system  of  warfare 
prohibited  them  from  extending  to  Americans. 

The  main  body  was  encamped  about  thirteen 
miles  from  Tallushatches;  and  upon  the  1st  of  No- 
vember, a  small  supply  of  provisions  was  brought 
into  camp.  Col.  Coffee  had  been  promoted  to  a 
brigadier-general;  and  was  despatched  early  upon 
the  2d,  with  900  cavalry,  and  mounted  riflemen,  to 
attack  the  Creeks  in  their  encampment.  Gen.  Jack- 
son, although  convalescent,  was  at  this  time  extreme- 
ly debilitated,  from  long  indisposition,  excessive  fa- 
tigue, and  extreme  solicitude,  and  had  no  use  of  one 
arm  ;  but  in  Gen.  Coffee,  he  had  an  officer  to  whom 
he  might  safely  entrust  an  expedition  of  any  impor- 
tance, and  of  any  danger. 

The  result  of  this  first  important  engagement,  I 
present  to  the  reader  in  the  language  of  "  OJicial 
Reports.'*     Deeming  this  altogether  the  most  pre- 
ferable mode  of  furnishing  the  reader  with  the  de- 
G 


r4  MEMOIRS    OF 

tails  of  battles,  I  shall  adopt  it  through  the  work, 
when  they  can  be  obtained. 

GEN.  JACKSON  TO  GOV.  BLOUNT. 

Camp  at  Ten  Islands,  Nov.  4ith,  1813. 

Governor  Blount, 

Sir, —  We  have  retaliated  for  the  destruction  of 
Fort  Miraras.  On  the  2d,  I  detached  Gen.  CoiTee, 
\vith  a  part  of  his  brigade  of  cavalry  and  mounted 
riflemen,  to  destroy  Tallushatches,  where  a  consid- 
erable force  of  the  hostile  Creeks  were  concentrated. 
The  General  executed  this  in  style.  An  hundred 
and  eighty-six  of  the  enemy  were  found  dead  on 
the  field,  and  about  eighty  taken  prisoners,  forty  of 
whom  have  been  brought  here.  In  the  number  left, 
there  is  a  sufficiency  but  slightly  wounded  to  take 
care  of  those  who  are  badly. 

I  have  to  regret  that  five  of  my  brave  fellows 
have  been  killed,  and  about  thirty  wounded;  some 
badly,  but  none  I  hope  mortally. 

Both  officers  and  men  behaved  with  the  utmost 
bravery  and  deliberation. 

Captains  Smith,  Bradley,  and  Winston  are  wound- 
ed, all  slightly.     No  officer  is  killed. 

So  soon  as  Gen.  Coffee  makes  his  report,  I  shall 
enclose  it. 

If  we  had  a  sufficient  supply  of  provisions,  we 


ANDREW    JACKSOJT.  75 

should  in  a  very  short  time  accomplish  the  object 
of  the  expedition. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect, 
yours,  .Sec.  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

P.  S.  Seventeen  Cherokees,  under  the  command 
of  Col.  Brown,  acted  with  great  bravery  in  the  ac- 
tion. Two  of  Chenubby's  sons,  and  Jim  Fife,  of 
the  Natchez  tribe,  also  distinguishecf  themselves. 
One  of  the  Creek  prophets  is  killed.  A.  J. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  Gen.  Jackson  merely  alludes 
to  the  subject  of  provisions ;  but  from  numerous 
sources  of  correct  information,  it  is  certain  at  that 
time  that  a  very  scanty  supply  was  on  hand. 

The  following  is  Gen.  Coffee's  report  of  the  battle 
of  Tallushatches,  alluded  to  in  the  letter  to  Gov. 
Blount. 

BRIG.  GEN.  COFFEE  TO  MAJ.  GEN.  JACKSON. 

Cainp  at  Ten  Islands^  Nov.  4ith,  1813. 
Maj.  Gen.  Jackson, 

Sir, — I  had  the  honour  yesterday,  of  transmitting 
you  a  short  account  of  an  engagement  that  took  place 
between  a  detachment  of  about  900  men  from  my 
brigade  with  the  enemy  at  Tallushatches  town ;  the 
particulars  whereof  I  beg  leave  herein  to  recite  you. 
Pursuant  to  your  order  of  the  2d,  I  detailed  from 
my  brigade  of  cavalry  and  mounted  riflemen,  900 
men  and  officers,  and   proceeding  directly  to  the 


76  MEMOIRS    OF 

Tallijshafches  towns,  crossed  Coosa  river  at  the  Fish 
Dam  ford,  three  or  four  miles  above  this  place.  I 
arrived  within  one  and  a  half  miles  of  the  town, 
(distant  from  this  place  south-east  eight  miles,)  on 
tht;  morning  of  the  3d,  at  which  place  I  divided  my 
detachment  into  two  columns,  the  right  composed 
of  the  cavalry  commanded  by  Col.  Alicorn,  to  cross 
over  a  large  6reek  that  lay  between  us  and  the  towns ; 
the  left  colunm  was  of  the  mounted  riflemen,  under 
the  command  of  Col.  Cannon,  with  whom  I  marched 
myself.  Col.  Alicorn  was  ordered  to  march  up  on 
the  right,  and  encircle  one  half  of  the  town,  and  at 
the  same  time  the  left  would  form  a  half  circle  on 
the  left,  and  unite  the  head  of  the  columns  in  front 
of  the  tow  n — all  of  which  was  performed  as  I  could 
wish.  When  I  arrived  w  ithin  half  a  mile  of  the 
town,  the  drums  of  the  enemy  began  to  beat,  min- 
gled with  their  savage  yells,  preparing  for  action. 
It  was  after  sunrise  an  hour  when  the  action  was 
brought  on  by  Capt.  Hammond  and  Lieut.  Patter- 
son's companies,  who  had  gone  on  within  the  circle 
of  alignment,  for  the  purpose  of  drawing  out  the 
enemy  from  their  buildings,  which  had  the  most 
happy  effect.  As  soon  as  Capt.  Hammond  exhibit- 
ed his  front  in  view  of  the  town,  (which  stood  in  an 
open  woodland,)  and  gave  a  few  scattering  shot,  the 
enemy  formed  and  made  a  violent  charge  on  him  ; 
he  gave  way  as  they  advanced,  until  they  met  our 
right  column,  which  gave  them  a  general  fire  and 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  77 

then  charged  ;  this  changed  the  direction  of  charge 
completely  ;  the  enemy  retreated  firing,  until  they 
got  around,  and  in  their  buildings,  where  they 
made  all  the  resistance  that  an  overpowered  soldier 
could  do ;  they  fought  as  long  as  one  existed  ;  but 
their  destruction  was  very  soon  completed:  our 
men  rushed  up  to  the  doors  of  the  houses,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  killed  the  last  warrior  of  them.  The 
enemy  fought  with  savage  fury,  and  met  death  with 
all  its  horrors,  without  shrinking  or  complaining : 
not  one  asked  to  be  spared,  but  fought  as  long  as 
they  could  stand  or  sit.  In  consequence  of  their 
£ying  to  their  houses  and  mixing  with  the  families, 
our  men,  in  killing  the  males,  without  intention, 
killed  and  wounded  a  few  of  the  squaws  and  chil- 
dren, which  was  regretted  by  every  officer  and  sol- 
dier of  the  detachment,  but  which  could  not  be 
avoided. 

The  number  of  the  enemy  killed,  was  186,  that 
were  counted,  and  a  number  of  others  that  were 
killed  in  the  weeds,  not  found.  I  think  the  calcu- 
lation a  reasonable  one,  to  say  200  of  them  were 
killed,  and  84  prisoners  of  women  and  children* 
were  taken.  Not  one  of  the  warriors  escaped  to 
carry  the  news — a  circumstance  unknown  hereto- 
fore. 

We  lost  5  men  killed,  and  41  wounded,  none  mor- 
tally, the  greater  part  slightly;  a  number  with  ac- 
G2 


78  MEMOIRS  OF 

rows.  This  appears  to  form  a  very  principal  part 
of  the  enemy's  arms  for  warfare,  every  man  having 
a  bow  with  a  bundle  of  arrows,  which  is  used  after 
the  first  fire  with  the  gun,  until  a  leisure  time  for 
loading  offers. 

It  is  with  pleasure  I  say  that  our  men  acted  with 
deliberation  and  firmness.  Notwithstanding  our 
numbers  were  superior  to  that  of  the  enemy,  it  was 
a  circumstance  to  us  unknown ;  and  from  the  parade 
of  the  enemy,  we  had  every  reason  to  suppose  them 
our  equals  in  number :  but  there  appeared  no  visi- 
ble traces  of  alarm  in  any,  but  on  the  contrary 
all  appeared  cool  and  determined,  and  no  doubt 
when  they  face  a  foe  of  their  own,  or  superior  num- 
ber, they  will  show  the  same  courage  as  on  this  oc- 
casion. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully,  sir, 

your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  COFFEE, 

Brig.  Gen.  of  Cavalry  and  Riflemen. 
Maj»  Gen,  Andrew  Jackson. 

Killed,  5  privates. 

Wounded,  4  captains,  2  lieutenants,  2  cornets,  3 
sergeants,  5  corporals,  1  artificer,  24  privates.— To- 
tal, killed  and  wounded,  46. 

In  this  report  the  reader  will  readily  see,  that 
while  Gen.  Coffee  is  gratified  at  communicating  an 
account  oi  victory,  he  is  griered  at  some  of  the  cir- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  79 

cumstances  attending  it.  "  Not  one,*'  he  says, 
**  asked  to  be  spared'* — and  without  asking  quarter, 
and  continuing  to  fight,  they  could  not  be  spared. 
The  regret  expressed  at  killing  and  wounding  some 
of  the  women  and  children,  mingled  with  the  war- 
riors, and  which  could  not  be  avoided,  shews  that 
brave  men  are  always  humane. 


$X>  MEMOIRS   OF 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Tennessee  forces— Collisions  in  armies — Establishment  of  Fort  Stro- 
tber — Perilous  situation  of  friendly  Creeks — Despatch  to  General 
White— his  conduct— Battle  of  Talladega— Gen.  Jackson's  ac- 
count of  it. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  campaign,  in  the 
Creek  nation,  in  1813,  the  Tennessee  forces,  militia 
and  volunteers,  that  were  called  into  service,  con- 
sisted of  two  divisions — one  of  West  Tennessee, 
commanded  by  Maj.  Gen.  Jackson,  the  other  of 
East  Tennessee,  commanded  by  Maj.  Gen.  Cocke. 
The  division  of  the  Tennessee  forces  seemed  to  b^ 
governed  by  the  division  which  nature  has  made 
of  this  state  by  the  range  of  the  Cumberland  moun- 
tains, running  from  north  to  south.  Major  Gen, 
Thomas  Pinckney,  of  the  United  States'  army,  was 
commander  in  chief  of  the  military  district  in  which 
these  troops  were  raised  and  organized. 

Whether  it  was  designed  by  the  executive  of 
Tennessee  that  the  two  divisions  of  its  forces  should 
act  in  concert,  or  remain  two  distinct  corps,  acting 
independently  of  each  other,  cannot  positively  be 
determined  by  the  writer.  The  first  is  altogether 
the  most  probable ;  indeed  it  is  rendered  almost 
certain  from  the  course  pursued  by  Gen.  Jacksom 


ANDREW^   JACKSON.  31 

It  cannot  for  a  moment  be  supposed,  that  a  man 
who  had  so  Jong  been  in  public  life— filling  exalt- 
ed  and  highly  responsible  stations  in  the  civil  and 
military  departments,  would  arrogate  to  himself 
an  authority  which  was  not  expressly,  or  by  the 
fairest  implication,  bestowed  upon  him.  He  issued 
orders  to  the  division  under  Gen.  Cocke.  The  un- 
fortunate collisions,  misunderstandings,  and  jealous- 
ies which  for  a  time  obstructed,  and  nearly  thwart- 
ed the  important  and  hazardous  expedition  into 
the  country  of  the  Creeks,  though  reluctantly,  must 
necessarily,  be  alluded  to,  to  show  the  course  pur- 
sued by  Gen.  Jackson. 

Although  the  patriot  will  lament  the  existence 
of  feuds  in  a  patriotic  army,  let  it  be  remembered 
they  were  not  confined  to  the  militia  in  the  last  war, 
nor  to  those  between  the  militia  of  the  states,  and 
the  national  forces ;  but  that  they  existed  in  some 
departments   of  the   United   States'  army  itself. 
The  northern  campaign  of  1813,  is  not  forgotten, 
nor  the  «  Failure  of  our  arms  on  the  Northern  Fron" 
tier,'  erased  from  recollection.     Gen.  Wilkinson  de- 
Clares  in   a  General  Order — "  The  Commander  in 
Chief  is  compelled  to  retire,  [from  the  Canadian 
shore,]  by  the  extraordinary,  unexampled,  and  it 
appears,  unwarrantable  conduct  of  Major  General 
Hampton,  in  refusing  to  join  this  army  with  a  divi- 
sioB  of  4000  men  under  his  command,  agreeable  to 
positive  orders  from  the  Commander  in  Chief.'* 


B2  MEMOIRS    OF 

The  brilliant  victory  at  Tallushatches,  and  the 
total  defeat  of  the  savages,  from  which,  to  use  the 
lan^uasje  of  Gen.  Coffee,  "  not  one  of  the  warriors 
escaped  to  tell  the  ne?vSy**  induced  Gen.  Jackson  to 
take  the  most  efficient  measures  to  follow  up  the 
cncourasiing  success  the  army  had  met  with,  by 
more  important  operations.  To  accomplish  this, 
he  sent  an  express  upon  Nov.  4th,  (the  date  of  his 
first  official  account,)  to  Brig.  Gen.  Whiter  of  Gen. 
Cockers  division,  who  was  only  twenty-five  miles 
distant,  ordering  him  with  the  troops  in  his  com- 
mand, to  form  a  junction  with  him  at  Fort  Str other, 
which  he  had  established  as  a  depot.  His  object 
in  forming  this  junction,  was  to  augment  his  forces 
to  such  an  amount,  as  to  enable  him  to  go  forward 
with  confidence  in  attacking  the  enemy,  and  leave  a 
force  in  the  rear  sufficient  to  profect  the  sick  and 
guard  the  baggage.  Although  he  had  twice  before 
sent  similar  orders,  not  a  word  of  intelligence  was 
received  from  him.  Upon  the  Tth,  he  dispatched 
another  express.  Upon  this  day  information  was 
received  by  Gen.  Jackson,  that  a  fortress  of  friendly 
Indians  at  Talladega^  thirty  miles  distant  from  Fort 
Slrother,  was  in  imminent  danger  of  total  destruc- 
tion, and  the  natives  to  indiscriminate  massacre,  by 
the  hostile  Creeks.  They  had  espoused  the  cause 
of  the  Americans ;  and  of  course  had  incurred  all 
the  vengeful  malice  which  natural  ferocity,  increas- 
ed by  reiigious  fanaticism,  could  feel  towards  them. 


ANDREW  JACKSON,  83 

They  were  surrounded  by  a  numerous  body  of  in- 
furiated Creeks.  Their  runners  beseeched  General 
Jackson  to  relieve  them  from  their  perilous  situation. 
The  same  sentiment  that  induced  the  general  to  ha- 
zard his  reputation  in  protecting  his  countrymen  at 
Natchez,  induced  him,  without  hesitation,  to  extend 
protection  to  those  faithful  natives,  whose  fate  was 
identified  with  the  success  or  defeat  of  the  American 
arms.  He  commenced  his  march,  commanding  in 
person,  at  12  o'clock  in  the  evening.  He  despatch- 
ed another  express  to  Gen.  White,  to  repair  that 
night  to  Fort  Strother,  and  protect  it  in  his  absence. 
To  his  inexpressible  surprise,  in  a  short  time  he  re- 
ceived a  message  from  him  that  he  had,  agreeable 
to  his  order,  commenced  a  march  to  Fort  Strother, 
but  that  he  had  received  counter  orders  from  Maj. 
Gen.  Cocke,  to  join  him  at  Chatuga  creek! — and  that 
he  should  obey  him  I 

A  situation  more  embarrassing  can  hardly  be 
imagined.  Hiseickand  baggage  in  his  rear,  liable 
every  moment  to  destruction — the  friendly  Creeks 
in  his  front  in  momentary  danger  of  annihilation. 
The  hour  of  decision  had  come.  Relying  upon  the 
gallantry  of  his  troops — knowing  the  justice  of  his 
cause,  and  hoping  for  the  protection  of  heaven,  he 
rapidly  advanced  upon  the  enemy,  ii;norant  of  their 
force.  The  result  I  give  In  the  general's  own  lan- 
guage. 


S4  MEMOIRS    OF 

MAJ.  GEN.  JACKSON  TO  GOV.  BLOUNT. 

Camp  St  rather,  mar  Jen  Islands 
of  Coosa,  Nov.  iUh,  1813. 

Sir,— I  am  just  returned  from  an  excursion  which 
I  took  a  few  days  ago,  and  hasten  to  acquaint  you 
with  the  result. 

Late  on  the  evening  of  the  7th  inst.  a  runner  ar- 
rived from  the  friendly  party  in  Lashley's  Fort, 
(TdladeG:a,)  distant  about  thirty  miles  below  us, 
with  the  information  that  the  hostile  Creeks,  in 
great  force,  had  encamped  near  the  place,  and  were 
preparing  to  destroy  it ;  and  earnestly  entreated 
that  I  would  lose  no  time  in  affording  them  relief. 
Urged  by  their  situation,  as  well  as  by  a  wish  to 
meet  the  enemy  as  soon  as  an  opportunity  would 
ofTer,  I  determined  upon  commencing  my  march 
thither  with  all  my  disposable  force,  in  the  course 
of  the  night ;  and  immediately  despatched  an  ex- 
press to  Gen,  White,  advising  him  of  my  intended 
movement,  and  urged  him  to  hasten  to  this  encamp- 
ment by  a  forced  march,  in  order  to  protect  it  in 
my  absence.  I  had  repeatedly  written  to  the  gene- 
ral, to  form  a  junction  with  me  as  speedily  as  prac- 
ticable, and  a  few  days  before  had  received  his  as- 
surance, that  on  the  7th  he  would  join  me.  I  com- 
menced crossing  the  river  at  the  Ten  Islands,  leav- 
ing  behind  me  my  bage:age  waggons  and  whatever 
mij;ht  retard  my  progress,  and  encamped  that  night 
within  six  miles  of  the  fort  I  had  set  out  to  relieve. 


AN1>REW    JACKSON.  85 

At  midnight  I  had  received  by  an  Indian  runner,  a 
letter  from  Gen.  White,  informing  me  that  he  had 
received  my  order,  but  that  he  had  altered  his 
course,  and  was  on  his  march  backwards  to  join 
Maj.  Gen.  Cocke,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Chatuga. 
I  will  not  now  remark  upon  the  strangeness  of  this 
manoeuvre;  but  it  was  now  too  late  to  change  my 
plan,  or  ir.ake  any  new  arrangements  ;  and  between 
3  and  4  o'clock,  I  recommenced  my  march  to  meet 
the  enemy,  who  were  encamped  within  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  of  the  fort.  At  sunrise  we  came  within  half 
a  mile  of  them,  and  having  formed  my  men,  I  mov- 
ed on  in  battle  order.  The  infantry  were  in  three 
lines-— the  militia  on  the  left,  and  the  volunteers  on 
the  right.  The  cavalry  formed  the  two  extreme 
wings,  and  were  ordered  to  advance  in  a  curve^  keep- 
ing  their  rear  connected  with  the  advance  of  their 
infantry  lines,  and  enclose  the  enemy  in  a  circle. 
The  advanced  guard  whom  I  sent  forward  to  bring 
on  the  engagement,  met  the  attack  of  the  eneniy 
with  great  intrepidity ;  and  having  poured  upon 
them  four  or  five  very  sailing  rounds,  fell  back,  as 
they  had  been  previously  ordered,  to  the  main  ar- 
my. The  enemy  pursued,  and  the  front  line  was 
now  ordered  to  advance  and  meet  him ;  but  ow- 
ing to  ^ome  misunderstanding,  a  few  companies  of 
militia,  who  composed  a  part  of  it,  commenced  a 
retreat.  At  this  moment  a  corps  of  cavalry,  com- 
H 


86  ME310IRS    OF 

manded  by  Lieut.  Col.  Dypr,  which  I  had  kept  as 
a  rcwe,  was  ordered  to  dismount,  and  fill  up  the 
vacancy  occasioned  by  the  retreat.  This  order  was 
executed  with  a  great  dtal  of  promptitude. and  ef- 
fect. The  militia,  seeing  this,  speedily  rallied  ;  and 
the  fire  became  general  along  the  front  line,  anrl  on 
that  part  of  the  wings  which  was  contiguous.  The 
enemy, -unable  to  stand  it,  began  to  retreat ;  but 
were  met  at  every  turn,  and  repulsed  in  every  di- 
rection. The  right  wing  chased  them,  with  a  most 
destructive  fire,  to  the  mountains,  a  distance  of 
about  three  miles — and  had  1  not  been  compelled 
by  the  faux  pas  of  the  militia  in  the  outset  of  the 
battle,  to  dismount  my  reserve,  I  believe  not  a  man 
of  them  would  have  escaped.  The  victory  how- 
ever was  very  decisive — 290  of  the  enemy  were  left 
(lead — and  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  many  more 
were  killed  who  were  noj;  found.  Wherever  they 
ran,  they  left  behind  traces  of  blood  ;  and  it  is  be- 
lieved that  very  few  will  return  to  their  villages  in 
assonufl  a  condition  as  they  left  them.  I  was  com- 
pelled to  return  to  this  place  to  protect  the  sick  and 
wounded,  and  get  my  basriiage  on. 

In  the  engagement,  we  lost  15  killed,  and  85 
wounded — 2  of  them  have  since  died.  All  the  offi- 
cers acted  with  the  utmost  bravery,  and  so^'did  all 
the  privates,  except  that  part  of  tlic  milifia  who  re- 
treated at  the  commencement  of  the  battle— and 


ANT)REW    JACKSON.  87' 

they  hastened  to  atone  for  their  error,     Taldng  the 
whole  together,  they  have  realized  the  high  expec 
tations  I  had  formed  of  them,  and  have  fairly  enti- 
tled themselves  to  the  gratitude  of  their  country. 
ANDREW  JACKSON. 

His  Excellency  Willie  Blount,  Nashville, 

The  following  additional  despatch  completes  the 
account  of  the  Battle  of  Talladega. 

Camp  Strother,  near  Ten  Islands, 
15th  Nov.  1813. 
You  will  perceive,  from  a  draft  which  I  shall  send 
you,  that  had  there  been  no  departure  from  the  ori- 
ginal order  of  battle,  not  an  Indian  could  have  es- 
caped; and  even  as  the  battle  did  terminate,  I  be- 
lieve that  no  impartial  man  can  say  that  a  more 
splendid  result,  has  in  any  instance  attended   our 
arms  on  land,  since  the  commencement  of  the  war. 
The  force  of  the  enemy  is  represented  by  themselves 
to  have   been  1080 ;  and  it  does  not  appear  from 
their  fire  and  the  space  of  ground  which  they  occu- 
pied, that  their  number  can  have  been  less.     Two 
hundred  and   ninety-nine   were  left  dead   on   the 
ground  ;  and  no  doubt  many  more  were  killed  who 
were  not  found.     It  is  believed  that  very  few  esca- 
ped without  a  wound.     In  a  very  few  weeks,  if  I 
had  a  sufficiency  of  supplies,  I  am  thoroughly  con* 


68  MEMOIRS    OP 

vinced  I  should  be  able  to  put  an  end  to  Creek  hor- 
tilities. 

Too  much  praise  cannot  be  bestowed  upon  th« 
advance,  led  on  by  Col.  Carrol,  for  the  spirited  man- 
ner in  which  they  commenced  and  sustained  the  at- 
tack; nor  upon  the  reserve,  commanded  by  Lieut. 
Col.  Dyer,  and  composed  of  Captains  Smith's,  Mor- 
ton's, Axum's,  Edwards',  and  H an. mond's  compa- 
nies, for  the  gallantry  with  which  they  met  and  re- 
pulsed the  enemy.  In  a  word,  officers  of  everj 
grade,  as  well  as  the  privates,  realized  the  high  ex- 
pectations I  had  formed  of  them,  and  merit  the 
gratitude  of  their  country. 

I  should  be  doing  injustfce  to  my  staff,  composed 
of  Majors  Reid  and  Searcy,  my  aids,  Col.  Sitler  and 
Major  Anthony,  Adjutant,  and  Assistant  Adjutant- 
General  ;  Colonel  Carrol,  Inspector-General ;  Major 
Strother,  Topographer ;  Mr.  Cunningham,  my  Sec- 
retary ,  and  Col.  Stokey  IJ.  Haynes,  Quarter-Mas- 
ter-General ;  not  to  say  that  they  were  every  where 
in  the  midst  of  danger,  circulating  my  orders.  They 
deserve  and  receive  my  thanks. 

T  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

In  reading  this  account  of  the  second  victory  ob- 
tained over  the  Creel^s,  it  cannot  have  escaped  the 
notice  of  the  reader,  with  what  delicacy  the  general 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  89 

mentions  the  retreat  of  a  part  of  his  force,  and  with 
what  readiness  he  endeavours  to  exculpate  them 
from  censure,  by  saying — "  they  hastened  to  atone 
for  their  error,^^  This  retreat,  however,  had  a 
most  pernicious  effect.  It  tended  to  excuse  subse- 
quent retreats,  and  to  encourage  the  desponding 
hopes  of  the  Indian  warriors.  When  they  once  saw 
an  assailing  enemy  shrink  from  a  sanguinary  com- 
bat, they  expected  to  see  it  again* 


H  U 


90  3IEM0IRS   OF 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Consequences  of  Crig.  Gen.  White's  conduct — Hillabces  sue  for  peace 
to  Gen.  Jackson — Gen.  White  destroys  their  towns — Measures  of 
the  Georjjiii  Legislature — Victory  at  Autoussee — Brig.  Gen.  Floyd's 
account  of  it — Gen.  Jackson's  situation  in  December,  1813 — Muti- 
ny among  bis  troops— also  iu  Gen.  Coffee's  brigade — dismissal  of 
both. 

In  consequence  of  the  refusal  of  Brig.  Gen.  White 
to  form  a  junction  nith  Gen.  Jackson,  or  to  repair 
to  Fort  Strolher  in  his  absence,  he  was  corapelled  to 
relinquish  his  intentions  of  carrying  the  wdiV  forivard 
into  the  Indian  territories,  and  to  return  back  with 
his  wounded  to  that  fortress.  This  conduct  of  Gen, 
White,  acting  under  Maj.  Gen.  Cocke,  was  produc- 
tive of  a  double  disadvantage,  and  a  double  injury — 
it  prolonged  the  war  with  the  Creeks,  and  compel- 
ied  those  of  thera  who  wished  for  peace,  to  continue 
to  fight. 

The  Hillabee  tribes,  after  the  signal  victory  at 
TalladegGf  were  solicitous  to  make  peace  with  Gen. 
Jackson  and  the  United  States.  He  was  as  ready 
to  negociate  as  to  conquer ;  but  before  any  terms 
could  be  made.  Gen.  White  attacked  them — and, 
while  they  were  preparing  to  bury  the  tomahawk, 
they  were  compelled  to  uield  it.  Supposing  that 
tho  forces  under  Gen.  White,  were  a  part  of  Geo. 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  91 

Jackson's  army,  and  that  while  they  were  sueing  for 
peace,  to  be  assailed  by  a  superior  force,  was  unjus- 
tifiable duplicity,  they  became  more  enragtd  than 
ever.  Desperation  took  the  place  of  timidity,  and, 
during  the  remainder  of  the  war,  the  Hillabees  ne- 
ver asked  quarter,  nor  granted  it.  They  fought 
with  the  raging  fury  of  maniacs;  and  each  one 
seemed  to  have  become  a  ^^  Son  of  Alknomock^  who 
scorned  to  compLain^^ — they  asked  no  favours,  and 
extended  no  mercy. 

Gen.  White  destroyed  the  Hillabee  towns  as  he 
entered  them  by  conflagration.  The  first  town 
was  Little  Oak/uskie,  of  thirty  houses ;  the  second 
Genalga^  of  ninety-three  houses.  Nitty  Choptoay  to 
use  his  own  language,  he  *'  considered  it  most  pru- 
dent not  to  destroy,  as  it  might  possibly  be  of  use  at 
some  future  period."  Upon  the  18th  November, 
he  entered  an  Hillabee  town,  "consisting"  as  he 
says,  "of  about  316,  (hostile  Creeks,)  of  which 
number,  abotit  60  warriors  were  killed  on  the  spot, 
and  the  rest  made  prisoners."  This  town  he  also 
destroyed.  In  his  report  he  says — "  We  lost  not  one 
drop  of  blood  in  accomplishing  this  enterprise."  It 
is  without  a  parallel,  in  Indian  warfare,  that  so  ma- 
ny warriors  should  be  slain  and  captured,  and  «  not 
one  drop  of  blood"  should  be  lost  by  the  force  as- 
sailing them  5  and  can  be  accounted  for,  perhaps, 
upon  no  other  principle,  than  that  the  Hillabees 
scorned  to  shed  the  biood  of  those  to  whom  they 


92  MEMoins  OP 

were,  at  the  very  time,  supplicating  for  peace  !  The 
facts  are  before  the  reader — he  must  make  his  own 
inferences.  It  will  be  surely  recollected  that  Gen. 
Jackson,  however  sanguinary  ntcfsslty  compelled 
him  to  make  the  war  after  this  period,  had  hitherto 
exercised  a  lenity  towards  the  Creeks,  almost  incon- 
sistent with  energy.  He  had  acted  like  an  humane 
conqueror,  who  chose  rather  to  conciliate  a  ruth- 
less foe  by  mercy,  than  to  exterminate  them  by  the 
sword. 

It  has  previously  been  stated,  that  the  Creeks 
had  determined  to  attack  the  frontiers  of  Georgia 
and  Tennessee,  simultaneously.  Measures  equally 
efficient  with  those  adopted  by  the  executive  and 
legislature  of  Tennessee  were  adopted  by  the  ex- 
ecutive and  les:islature  of  Georgia.  His  excel- 
lency Peter  Earbj,  governor  of  that  state,  upon 
the  8th  November,  1813,  communicated  to  the 
Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  the  informa- 
tion he  had  received  of  savage  depredations  and 
murders  upon  the  frontiers.  The  legislature  im- 
mediately authorized  the  governor  to  cause  the 
frontiers  to  be  put  in  a  state  of  defence,  and  to 
send  a  sufficient  force  into  the  heart  of  the  Creek 
CO  intry.  As  the  executive  and  military  powers  of 
Georgia  acted  in  concert  with  Gen.  Jackson,  the 
measures  pursued  by  them  must  necessarily  be  al- 
luded to. 

Brig.  Gen.  John  Floi/d^  commanded  the  Georgia 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  03 

militia.  The  victory  obtained  by  him  at  iutoussee 
upon  the  Tallapoofia  river,  v^as  a  signal  advantage 
to  the  American  arms.  It  tended  to  increase  the 
fears  of  the  Creeks,  and  to  hasten  the  conquest  of 
their  country.  Sensible  that  no  description  of  this 
battle  will  be  so  gratifying  to  the  reader,  as  that 
given  by  the  accomplished  commander  of  the  gal- 
lant troops  who  achieved  the  victory,  I  present  it 
h)  the  language  of  the  general  to  Gov.  Eariy. 

"  Having  received  information  that  numbers  of 
the  hostile  Indians  were  assembled  at  Autoussee, 
a  town  on  the  southern  bank  of  the  Tallapoosa, 
about  eighteen  miles  from  the  Hickory  Ground,  and 
twenty  above  the  junction  of  that  river  with  the 
Coosa,  I  proceeded  to  its  attack,  with  950  of  the 
Georgia  militia,  accompanied  by  between  3  and 
400  friendly  Indians.  Having  encamped  within 
nine  or  ten  miles  of  the  point  of  destination  the 
preceding  evening,  we  resumed  the  marc-h,  a  few 
minutes  before  one  on  the  morning  of  the  29th,  and 
at  half  past  six  were  formed  for  action  in  front  of 
the  town. 

Booth's  battalion  composed  the  right  column, 
and  marched  from  its  centre.  Watson's  battalion 
composed  the  left,  and  marched  from  its  right  — 
Adams's  rifle  company,  and  Merriwpther's  under 
Lieut.  Hendon,  were  on  the  flanks— Capt.  Thomas's 


94  MEMOTRJ;    OF 

artillery  marched  in  front  of  the  right  column  ic 
the  road. 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  completely  surround- 
ed the  enemy,  by  appajjing  the  right  wing  of  my 
force,  on  Canleebee  creek,  at  the  mouth  of  which 
I  was  inforDied  the  town  stood,  and  resting  the  left 
on  the  river  bank  below  the  town,  but  to  our  sur- 
prise, as  the  day  dawned,  we  perceived  a  second 
town  about  500  yards  below  that  which  we  had 
first  viewed,  and  were  pi  eparing  to  attack.  The 
plan  was  immediately  changed — three  companies 
of  infantry  on  the  left  were  wheeled  into  echelon, 
and  advanced  to  the  low  town,  accompanied  by 
Merri wether's  rifle  company,  and  two  troops  of 
light  dragoons  under  the  command  of  captains 
Irwin  and  Steele. 

The  residue  of  the  force  approached  the  upper 
town,  and  the  battle  soon  became  general.  The 
Indians  presented  themselves  at  every  point,  and 
fought  with  the  desperate  bravery  of  real  fanatics. 
The  well  directed  fire,  however,  of  the  artillery, 
added  to  the  charge  of  the  bayonet,  soon  forced 
them  to  take  refuge  in  the  out-houses,  thickets,  and 
copses,  in  rear  of  the  town  ;  many,  it  is  believed, 
concealed  themselves  in  caves,  previously  formed 
for  the  purpose  of  secure  retreat,  in  the  high  bluff 
of  the  river,  which  was  thickly  covered  with  reed 
anfl  brush  wood.  The  Indians  of  the  friendly  par- 
ly who  accompanied  us  on  the  expedition,  were  di- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  96 

Vided  into  four  companies,  and  placed  under  the 
comuiand  of  leaders  of  their  selection.  They  were, 
by  engagement  entered  into  the  day  previous,  to 
have  crossed  the  river  above  the  town,  and  been 
posted  onthe  opposite  shore  during  the  action,  for 
the  purpose  of  firing  on  such  of  the  enemy  as  might 
attempt  to  escape,  or  keep  in  check  any  reinforce- 
ment u  hich  might  probably  be  thrown  in  from  the 
neigh''0uring  town  ;  but  owing  to  the  difficulty  of 
the  ford,  and  coldness  of  the  weather,  ami  tlie 
lateness  of  the  hour,  this  arrangement  failed,  and 
their  leaders  were  directed  to  cross  Canleebee  creek, 
ani'  occupy  that  flank,  to  prevent  escapes  from  the 
Tailassee  town.  Some  time  after  the  action  com- 
menced, our  red  friends  thronged  in  disorder  in  the 
rear  of  our  lines.  The  Cowetaws  (mder  MTnlosh, 
and  theTookaubatchians  under  the  Mad  Dog's  Son, 
fell  in  on  our  flunks,  and  fought  with  an  intrepidity 
worthy  of  any  troops. 

At  9  o'clock,  the  enemy  was  completely  driven 
from  the  plain,  and  the  houses  of  both  towns  wrap- 
ped in  flames.  As  we  were  then  60  miles  from  any 
depot  o!  provisions  and  our  five  days*  rations  pretty 
much  reduced,  in  the  heart  of  an  enemy's  country, 
which,  in  a  few  momxiuts  could  have  poured  from 
its  numerous  towns,  hosts  of  the  fiercest  warriors— 
as  soon  as  the  dead  and  woun  ;ed  were  [)roperly 
disposed  of,  I  ordered  the  place  to  be  abandoned, 


96  MEMOIRS    OP 

and  the  troops  to  commence  their  march  to  Chata- 
houchie. 

It  is  difficult  to  determine  the  strength  of  the  ene- 
my, but  from  the  information  of  some  of  the  chiefs, 
which  it  is  said  can  be  relied  upon,  tliere  were  as- 
sembled  at  Autoussec,  warriors  from  eight  towns, 
for  its  defence,  it  being  their  beloved  ground,  on 
which,  thty  proclaimed  no  white  man  could  ap- 
proach without  inevitable  destruction.  It  is  difficult 
to  i;ive  a  pr  cise  account  of  the  loss  of  the  enemy  ; 
but  from  the  number  which  were  lying  scattered 
over  the  field,  together  uith  those  destroyed  in 
the  towns,  and  the  many  s!ainonthe  bank  of  the 
river,  which  respectable  officers  affirm  they  saw 
Jaying  in  heaps  nt  the  water's  edge,  where  they  had 
been  precipitated  by  their  surviving  friends,  their 
loss  in  killed,  independent  of  their  wounded,  must 
have  been  at  least  200,  [among  whom  were  the 
Autoussee  and  Tallassee  kings,]  and  from  the  cir- 
cumstance of  their  making  no  eiforts  to  molest  our 
return,  probably  greater.  The  number  of  buildin^^s 
burnt,  some  of  a  superior  order  for  the  dwellings 
of  savages,  and  filled  with  valuable  articles,  is  sup- 
posed to  be  400. 

Adjt.  Gen.  Newman  rendered  important  services 
during  the  action,  by  his  cool  and  deliberate  cour- 
age. My  aid.  Major  Crawford,  discharged  with 
promptitude  the  duties  of  a  brave  and  meritorious 
officer.     Major  Pace,  who  acted  as  field  aid,  also 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  97 

distinguished  himself;  both  these  gentlemen  had 
their  horses  shot  under  them,  and  the  latter  lost 
his.  Dr.  Williamson,  hospital  surgeon,  and  Dr. 
Clopton,  were  prompt  and  attentive  in  the  discharge 
of  their  duty  towards  the  wounded,  during  the 
action.  ' 

Major  Freeman,  at  the  head  of  Irwin's  troop  of 
cavalry,  and  part  of  Steele's,  made  a  furious  and 
successful  charge  upon  a  body  of  Indians,  sabred 
several,  and  completely  defeated  them  ;  Capt. Thom- 
as and  his  company,  Capt.  Adams  and  Lieut.  Hen- 
don's  rifle  companies,  killed  a  great  many  Indians, 
and  deserve  particular  praise :  Capt.  Barton's  com- 
pany was  in  the  hottest  of  the  battle,  and  fought 
like  soldiers.  Capts.  Myric,  Little,  King,  Broad- 
nax,  Cleveland,  Joseph  T.  Cunningham,  and  Lee, 
with  their  companies,  distinguished  themselves.— 
Brig.  Gen.  Shackleford  was  of  great  service  in 
bringing  the  troops  into  action ;  and  Adj.  Broad- 
nax,  and  Major  Mont^romery,  who  acted  as  assistant 
Adjutant,  showed  great  activity  and  courage.  Maj. 
Booth  used  his  best  endeavours  in  bringing  his  bat- 
talion to  action,  and  Maj.  Watson's  battalion  acted 
with  considerable  spirit.  Irwin's,  Patterson's,  and 
Steele's  troops  of  cavalry,  whenever  an  opportunity 
presented,  charged  with  success.  Lieut.  Strong 
had  his  horse  shot,  and  narrowly  escaped,  and 
Quarter  Master  Tennell  displayed  the  greatest  he- 
roism, and    miraculously  escaped,  though   badly 


^8  MEMOIRS  or 

wounded, after  having  his  horse  shot  from  under  him. 
The  topographical  engineer  was  vigilant  in  his  en- 
deavours to  render  service. 

The  troops  deserve  the  highest  praise  for  their 
fortitude  in  enduring  hunger,  cold,  and  fatigue, 
without  a  murmur,  having  marched  120  miles  in 
seven  days. 

The  friendly  Indians  lost  several  killed  and  wound- 
ed, the  number  not  exactly  known.  Capt.  Barton, 
an  active  and  intelligent  officer,  (the  bearer  of  these 
despatches,)  can  more  particularly  explain  to  your 
excellency  the  conduct,  movements,  and  operations 
of  the  army." 

The  importance  of  this  victory  may  be  duly  ap- 
preciated, when  it  is  considered,  that  besides  the 
death  of  two  kings  and  two  hundred  warriors — 
double  that  number  wounded — and  four  hundred 
superior  Indian  residences  destroyed  ;  the  religious 
charm  that  had  led  them  on  to  desperation,  was 
dissolved.  Upon  "  their  beloved  ground^  on  which 
they  proclaimed  no  nhite  man  could  approach,  nith- 
out  inevitable  destruction"  they  saw  their  chiefs  and 
warriors  fail — their  houses  consume,  and  the  whites 
lose  but  eleven  men. 

It  is  a  little  singular  that  General  Floyd  should 
mention  every  officer  that  was  wounded,  and  even 
every  officer's  horse  that  was  killed,  and  omit  to 
meotion  that  he  was  very  budly  wounded  himself. 


ANDREW    JACKSOJl.  99 

A  brave  man  is  always  modest  in  regard  to  his  own 
merits;  but  tlie  general  seemed  to  have  that  modes- 
ty which  may  be  denominated  false,  in  omitting 
this  in  his  official  report. 

While  these  interesting  events  were  taking  place 
in  one  part  of  the  Creek  country,  General  Jackson 
was  placed  in  a  most  unpleasant,  not  to  say  perilous 
situation,  at  Fort  Strother.  His  volunteers,  who 
had  become  familiar  with  service,  by  descending 
the  Mississippi  the  preceding  campaign,  and  who, 
with  the  Tennessee  militia,  had  become  familiar 
with  victory  over  the  Creeks,  began  to  look  toward 
home,  for  the  ease  and  tranquillity  of  private  life, 
and  the  ordinary  pursuits  of  private  business,  as 
the  means  of  advancing  private  interest.  No  man 
in  the  service  had  more  reasons  to  wish  and  pant 
for  retirement  than  Gen.  Jackson.  His  solicitude 
as  commander — his  extremely  debilitated  state  of 
health — the  disaffection  of  his  men — the  deficiency 
of  supplies  for  his  army — the  conduct  of  the  East 
Tennessee  militia,  under  Gen.  Cocke,  and  the  open 
mutiny  of  some  part  of  his  army,  presented  a  tis- 
sue of  discouraging  considerations,  which  would 
have  disheartened  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
fortitude.  Had  he  retired  from  the  service  of  his 
country  at  this  time,  he  would  have  retired  with 
honour  and  with  approbation.  But  he  believed, 
and  he  acted  upon  the  principle,  that  until  '•  all 
Tvas  done,  nothing  was  done.^^     He  knew   that  the 


100  3IEM0IRS    OJ 

hopes  of  the  frontier  settlers  of  Tennessee  and 
Georgia  were  fixed  upon  him  ;  he  knew  that  they 
had  derived  encouragement  from  his  successes,  and 
that  from  his  exertions  they  hoped  to  be  placed  in  a 
state  of  permanent  security.  Having  encountered 
and  overcome  difficulties  before,  he  resolved  to 
encounter  them  again,  for  he  was  now  in  the  midst 
of  them. 

The  "  Tennessee  Volunteers,"  claimed  to  be  dis- 
charged,  on  the  ground  of  having  served  one  year 
out  of  tivOi  from  the  time  they  were  organized. 
Many  of  the  officers  who  belonged  to  this  corps, 
deserted  the  ground  they  ought  to  have  maintained 
as  soldiers,  and  resorted  to  arguments  which  would 
have  disgraced  pettifoggers.  Although  they  had 
not  served  a  year,  they  had  for  that  period  been 
organized,  and  they  were  very  much  disposed  to 
give  weight  to  arguments  which  coincided  with 
their  inclinations.  They  resolved  to  leave  a  wil- 
derness where  they  were  surrounded  by  implacable 
enemies,  exposed  to  severe  privations,  and  in  ex- 
pectation of  enduring  the  dreadful  horrors  of  fam- 
ine. General  Jackson  exerted  every  faculty  to 
arouse  their  desponding  spirits.  He  appealed  to 
the  pride  of  the  volunteers,  by  reminding  them  of 
the  expedition  to  Natchez,  and  of  the  victories  which 
they  and  the  militia  had  gained  over  tlie  Creeks. 
He  appealed  to  the  sensibility  of  them  all,  by  rep- 
resenting the  danger  of  their  fathers  and  mothers, 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  101 

their  wives  and  children.  He  alluded  to  the  mas- 
sacre at  Fort  Mimms,  in  Mississippi,  and  endeavour- 
ed to  arouse  their  revenge.  He  endeavoured  to 
excite  their  vanity,  by  speaking  of  the  fame  the 
"  Tennessee  Volunteers"  had  acquired  at  Tallus- 
hatches  and  Talladega.  But  every  avenue  to  per- 
suasion was  closed.  The  cogent  addresses  of  the 
general,  were  lost  upon  the  apathy  of  the  soldiers, 
and  the  volunteers  became  mutineers.  The  gene^ 
ral  laid  aside  the  language  of  entreaty,  and  assumed 
that  of  command.  He  prevented,  at  the  hazard 
of  his  life,  the  departure  of  the  troops ;  but  soon 
found  that  an  army  which  required  one  half  of  it 
to  guard  the  other,  had  no  efficiency.  He  ordered 
them  to  be  marched  home,  and  to  be  disposed  of 
by  the  President  or  the  Governor  of  Tennessee. 

It  was  now  about  the  middle  of  December. 
General  Cocke,  had  for  the  first  time  joined  General 
Jackson  ;  but  upon  finding  the  time  for  which  Ms 
men  were  enlisted,  had  nearly  expired,  and  that  he 
could  not  hope  from  patriotism,  what  he  could  not 
enforce  by  power,  he  ordered  Gen.  Cocke  to  march 
his  troops  home.  But  few  troops  now  remained 
with  Gen.  Jackson.  Soon  after  the  battle  of  Tal- 
ladega, Brig.  Gen.  Coffee's  mounted  volunteers  and 
cavalry  were  permitted  to  retire  into  the  settle- 
ments, to  recruit  their  horses.  They  were  to  ren- 
dezvous at  Huntsville,  in  Mississippi,  upon  the  8th 

December,    where   Gen.    Coffee  was   dangerously 
12 


102  MEMOmS    OF 

sick.  Upon  this  excellent  officer  and  his  gallant 
men,  Gen.  Jackson  placed  the  most  confident  reli- 
ance. They  rendezvoused  upon  the  8th  ;  but  they 
hid  caught  the  infection  that  pervaded  the  infantry 
— the  fever  of  private  life.  They  however  pro- 
ceeded touard  head  quarters ;  but  they  were  no 
longer  ^Hhe  men  they  were. "^^  It  must  always  be 
admitted,  that  they  had  already  rendered  essential 
service  to  their  country,  and  it  was  the  reputation 
they  had  acquired,  that  rendered  it  desirable  to 
have  them  continue  in  the  service.  Gen.  Jackson, 
seconded  in  all  his  views  by  the  gallant  ColTee,  and 
by  many  patriots  of  the  first  water,  exerted  again 
his  great  powers  ;  but  exerted  them  in  vain.  Gov. 
Blount  ordered  the  volunteers  to  be  dismused^  and 
they  returned  home. 


AKDREW    JACKSOy.  103 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Gen.  Jackson's  situation  at  the  commencement  of  1814 — his  hopes 
revive — Victory  at  Eccanachaca,  or  Holy  Ground— Witherford, 
the  Indian  Prophet—Col.  Carroll  joins  Gen.  Jackson — Victories  at 
Emuckfaw,  Jan.  22d~at  Enotachopco,  the  24th— Gen.  Jackson's 
oflScial  report  of  them—Applause  bestowed  upon  soldiers. 

Gen.  Jackson  was  now  in  a  situation  which  re- 
quired all  the  fortitude  of  the  man — all  the  nerve 
of  the  soldier,  and  all  the  sagacity  of  the  statesman. 
He  held  frequent  comraunications  with  Gov.  Blount 
of  Tennessee,  Gov.  Early  of  Georgia,  and  Maj. 
Gen.  Pinckney  ;  and  his  opinion  seemed  to  be  a 
guide  for  their's.  Certain  it  is,  that  Gov.  Blount, 
toward  the  close  of  1813,  owing  to  the  disaffection 
of  the  Tennessee  troops,  and  the  reluctance  with 
which  volunteers  appeared,  recommended  an  aban- 
donment  of  the  expedition  into  the  Creek  country. 
The  urgent  and  cogent  expostulations  of  General 
Jackson,  induced  him  to  change  his  opinion,  and  to 
resort  to  the  most  energetic  measures  to  prosecute 
the  war  which  had  been  so  successfully  commenced 
by  him. 

Perhaps  the  situation  of  Gen.  Jackson,  at  this 
time,  cannot  be  better  described  than  it  is  in  the 


104  MEMOIRS    OF 

following  letter,  written  by  a  gentleman,  known  by 
the  author  to  be  of  the  first  respectability. 

«  Iluntsville,  M.  T.  Dec.  23,  1813. 

"  Since  the  battle  of  Tallushatches  and  Tallade- 
ga, the  army  of  General  Jackson  has  crumbled  to 
pieces.  The  whole  of  his  volunteer  infantry  are  re- 
turning home — insisting  that  their  tiaie  of  service 
expired  on  the  10th  of  this  month,  being  the  anni- 
versary of  their  rendezvous  at  Nashville.  The  gen- 
eral, however,  did  not  discharge  them — the  decision 
is  left  with  the  governor  of  Tennessee.  What  he 
will  do,  is  not  yet  known.  The  universal  impres- 
sion, however,  is,  that  they  will  be  discharged.  Yet 
nothing  is  more  clear  than  that  they  have  not  served 
12  months— and  they  were,  by  law,  to  serve  12 
months  in  a  period  of  2  years,  unless  sooner  dischar- 
ged. The  general's  force  now  at  Fort  Strothcr,  Ten 
Islands  of  Coosa,  may  amount  to  about  1500  men, 
chiefly  drafted  militia.  Of  these,  nearly  the  whole 
will  be  entitled  to  discharge  about  the  4th  of  the 
ensuing  month.  It  is  supposed  that  not  more  than 
150,  or  200,  (who  are  attached  to  the  general  per- 
sonally, and  v\ill  remain  through  motives  of  affec- 
tion,) will  be  left  with  him  after  that  day.  Doubt- 
less you  know  that  the  brigade  of  cavalry  volunteers 
and  mounted  riflemen,  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Coffee,  were  some  time  since  ordered  into  the  settle- 
ments, to  recruit  their  horses  for  a  few  days,  and 


ANDREW    JACKsun.  lOo 

procure  new  ones.  About  half,  perhaps  800,  ap- 
peared at  the  day  and  place  of  rendezvous;  but  of 
these  not  more  than  600  would  consent  to  go  on  af- 
ter the  10th.  About  half  oi  this  last  number  were 
of  the  old  volunteer  cavalry  ;  the  rest  mounted 
men,  newly  raised.  The  first  will  certainly  return 
with  the  volunteer  infantry,  their  term  commencing 
and  expiring  together.  The  last  claim  a  discharge 
at  the  expiration  of  three  months  from  the  day  they 
were  mustered  into  service ;  which  must  be  nearly 
out.  We  may  say,  then,  that  all  these  are  gone  too. 
Yet  Gen.  Jackson  has  very  recently  received  an  or- 
der from  Gen.  Pinckney,  to  garrison  and  maintain 
every  inch  of  ground  he  gains.  And  although  all 
active  exertions  of  the  campaign  seem  to  be  para- 
lyzed, I  still  hope  this  may,  and  will  be  done.  Gen. 
Cocke  is  now  in  E.  Tennessee,  endeavouring  to  col- 
lect a  new  levy  :  as  to  his  success  we  know  nothing. 
But  General  Roberts,  from  West  Tennessee,  passed 
through  our  country  three  days  ago,  and  has  just 
crossed  the  river  with  about  250  men.  Col.  Car- 
roll, inspector-general  of  this  army,  arrived  to-day 
with  a  force  of  5  or  600,  and  4  companies  are  pro- 
posed to  be  sent  from  this  county.  How  long  these 
men  are  to  serve,  I  know  not— not  longer  I  fancy 
than  three  months.  I  trust,  however,  that  this  sys- 
tem of  short  service,  wretched  as  it  is  inefficient,  and 
expensive  above  all  others,  will  yet  enable  Jackson 
to  occupy  till  spring  the  ground  he  has  won.     Per- 


106  MEMOIRS  OF 

haps  the  return  of  moderate  weather,  and  great  ef- 
forts meanwhile,  may  collect  around  his  banner,  an 
army  sufficient  to  effect  the  complete  <Hscomfilure 
and  prostration  of  the  Creek  power.  This,  however, 
uill  be  every  day  a  work  of  greater  difficulty.  The 
English  have  already  appeared  in  force  at  Pensaco- 
la,  7  sail  having  troops  on  board,  besides  2  bomb 
vessels.  Orleans  will  be  menaced.  Mobile  is  con- 
sidered in  great  danger.  The  force  on  the  Tombig- 
bee  waters,  and  the  3d  regiment  ascending  the  Ala- 
bama, will  be  called  to  its  defence.  This  gives  the 
Creeks  breathing  time,  and  lessens  the  force  desti- 
ned to  crush  them.  Augustine,  too,  will  doubtless 
be  occupied  by  British  troops;  and  from  these 
points,  arms,  ammunition,  and  perhaps  men  and 
leaders,  will  be  pushed  up  to  the  aid  of  the  Upper 
and  Middle  Creeks.  The  Seminoles,  and  the  runa- 
way negroes  among  them,  may  be  turned  loose  up- 
on the  sea-coast  of  Georgia." 

To  experienced  officers  and  soldiers,  who  know 
the  in)portance  of  efficient  authority  in  a  command- 
er, and  the  necessity  of  strict  obedience  in  an  array, 
the  circumstances  in  which  Gen.  Jackson  was  pla- 
ced, would  be  considered  as  calculated  to  excite  ap- 
prehensions, if  not  discouragement.  His  army  was 
an  anomaly  in  military  tactics.  It  would  remind  a 
spectator  of  a  board  of  actors  at  a  theatre,  who  indi- 
vidually  entered   the  stage — performed  the  part  of 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  lOT 

a  comedian  or  a  tragedian,  and  made  each  one  his 
exit,  as  whim  or  fancy  dictated — and  returned  at 
call  of  the  manager,  or  disappeared  for  ever. 

The  firmness,  the  constancy,  and  the  courage  of 
Gen.  Jackson,  increased  as  the  prospects  of  success 
diminished.  As  to  his  enemies,  the  Creeks,  he  was 
ready  to  meet  them  with  almost  any  disparity  of 
force.  To  meet  them  was  to  conquer  them.  But 
to  see  his  friends  disheartened,  and  his  secret  ene- 
mies plotting  his  discomfiture,  was  '^the  unkindest 
cut  of  all,^^  and  would  have  justified  him  in  exclaim- 
ing, with  a  most  pathetic  bard — 

"  The  shaft  that  deepest  in  my  bosom  went, 

'.'  Flow  from  the  bow  pretended  friendship  bent." 

Gen.  Jackson  found  every  appeal  he  made  to  the 
patriotism  of  the  troops,  when  the  day  of  discharge 
arrived,  wholly  fruitless,  and  he  no  longer  attempt- 
ed to  detain  them.  It  was  to  him  a  source  of  real 
consolation,  however,  that  a  number  of  personal 
friends,  and  accomplished  officers,  remained  true  to 
him.  to  their  country,  and  to  their  God.  From 
them,  he  knew  he  should  derive  every  assistance  in 
preparing  the  new  recruits,  who  were  assembling  at 
Huntsville,  in  Mississippi,  and  who  had  not  become 
infected  with  mutiny. 

As  the  most  impervious  darkness  is  said  to  per- 
vade the  horizon  immediately  before  the  dawn  of 
day,  so  when  the  darkest  clouds  of  adversity  en- 
veloped General  Jackson,  and  his  few  patriotic  asso- 


108  MEMOIRS    OF 

ciates,  the  most  cheering  reverse  of  fortune  was  at 
hand. 

Although  there  was  no  immediate  connection  be- 
tween the  volunteers  upon  the  Alabama  river,  under 
the  command  of  Brig.  Gen.  Claiborne,  yet  the  forces 
under  each,  as  well  as  those  under  the  gallant  Gen. 
Floyd,  all  acted  in  conctrt.  Gen.  Jackson  was  con- 
stantly advised  of  their  movements,  and  constantly 
exerting  himself  to  relieve  them.  He  had  no  wish 
to  monopolize  the  glory  of  conquering  the  most 
warlike  tribe  of  barbarians  in  the  universe.  He 
wished  for  no  laurels,  but  the  gratitude  of  his  coun- 
trymen, for  the  protection  which  he  and  other  gal- 
lant officers  and  soldiers  might  secure  for  them. 

About  the  1st  of  January,  1814,  he  received  the 
animating  intelliiience  that  General  Claiborne  had 
achieved  an  important  victory  upon  the  Alabama, 
more  than  one  hundred  miles  above  Fort  Stoddart, 
his  head  quarters.  The  town  where  the  battle  was 
fought,  was  called  Eccnnarhaca,  or  Hoi?/  Ground. 
It  was  the  residence  of  IFitherford,  Francis,  and 
Sinquister,  principal  prophets.  It  was  built  since 
the  commencement  of  hostilities,  as  a  place  of  secu- 
rity for  the  natives,  and  as  a  depot  for  provisions. 
Like  Jutoussee^  it  was  deemed  the  grave  of  white 
men.  Upon  the  23d  December,  it  was  attacked  ; 
between  thirty  and  forty  warriors  were  slain;  the 
whole  town,  of  200  houses,  destroyed,  and  an  im- 
mense quantity  of  provisions  taken.     The  town  be- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  109 

ing  surrounded  by  swamps  and  deep  ravines,  facili- 
tated the  escape  of  the  savages  from  the  pursuit  of 
the  Americans.  The  next  day,  a  town  of  sixty 
houses,  about  eight  miles  above  the  holy  ground, 
was  destroyed  ;  together  with  three  distinguished 
Indians,  and  all  the  Indians'  boats. 

Witherford,  the  Indian  Prophet  just  mentioned, 
was  the  commander  of  the  Indians,  in  their  furious 
and  murderous  attack  upon  Fort  Mimms,  at  Tensaw 
settlement,  in  Mississippi.  He  narrowly  escaped 
capture,  and  continued  to  fight  with  the  rage  ot  a 
fanatic,  the  fury  of  a  daemon,  and  the  diabolinal  fe- 
rocity of  a  devil  incarnate,  until,  saturated  with  the 
blood  of  Americans,  and  witnessing  the  almost  total 
extinction  of  his  own  tribe,  he  voluntarily  and 
dauntlessly  flung  himself  into  the  hands  of  General 
Jackson,  and  demanded  his  protection.  He  will 
again  be  mentioned. 

While  these  interesting  events  were  transpiring 
upon  the  Alabama,  a  newly  organized  corps  were 
raising  in  Tennessee  and  Mississippi,  to  resort  to  the 
standard  of  Gen.  Jackson,  who  were  designed,  with 
those  who  should  follow  them,  to  put  an  end  to  the 
most  sanguinary  war  which  savage  vengeance,  aid- 
ed by  British  gold,  and  Spanish  perfidy,  ever  pro- 
sec  u  ted. 

A  gallant  officer  now  commenced  his  military  ca- 
reer, which  was  consummated  at  New.Clrleans,  by 
St  crown  of  unfading  laurels — Col.  Carroll.     He 


110  aiEMOIRS    OF 

proceeded  to  Fort  Strother  upon  the  2d  January, 
1814^,  to  concert  measures  with  Gen.  Jackson.  They 
were  concerted  and  executed  with  a  celerity  which 
may  well  astonish  the  veteran  marshals  of  Europe. 

It  would  be  unpardonable  in  the  author  to  at- 
tempt to  detail  them  in  his  own  language,  since  he 
has  it  in  his  power  to  present  the  reader  with  the 
deeply  interesting  official  report  which  follows. 

MAJ.  GEN.  JACKSON,  OF  TENNESSEE  VOLUNTEERS,  TO 
MAJ.  GEN.  PINCKNEY,  OF  THE  U.  S.  ARMY. 

Head  Quarters,  Fort  Strother, 
Jan.  29,  1814. 
Maj.  Gen.  Thomas  Pinckney, 

Sir, — I  had  the  honour  of  informing  you  in  a  let- 
ter of  the  3 1st  ult.  [express,]  of  an  excursion  I  con- 
templated making  still  further  in  the  enemy's  coun- 
try, with  the  new  raised  volunteers  from  Tennessee. 
I  had  ordered  those  troops  to  form  a  junction  with 
me  on  the  10th  inst.  but  they  did  not  arrive  until 
the  14:th.  Their  number,  inclufling  officers,  was 
about  8(>0,  and  on  the  15th  I  marched  them  across 
the  river  to  graze  their  horses.  On  the  next  day  I 
followed  with  the  remainder  of  my  force,  consisting 
of  the  artillery  company,  with  one  six  pounder  ; 
one  company  of  infantry,  of  48  men  ;  two  compa- 
nies of  spies,  commanded  by  Captains  Gordon  and 
R'.'ssell,  of  about  30  men  each  ;  and  a  company  of 
volunteer  officers,  headed  by  Gen.  Coffee,  who  had 
been  abandoned  by  his  men,  and  who  still  remained 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  Ill 

in  the  field,  awaiting  the  orders  of  the  government; 
making  my  force,  exclusive  of  Indians,  930. 

The  motives  which  influenced  me  to  penetrate 
still  farther  into  the  enemy's  country,  with  this 
force,  were  many  and  urgent.     The  terms  of  ser- 
vice of  the  new  raised  volunteers  was  short,  and  a 
considerable  part  of  it  was  expired  ;  they  were  ex- 
pensive to  the  government,  and  were  full  of  ardour 
to  meet  the  enemy.     The  ill  effects  of  keeping  sol- 
diers of  this  description  long  stationary  and  idle,  I 
had  been  made  to  feel  but  too  sensibly  already-— 
other  causes  concurred  to  make  such  a  movement 
not  only  justifiable,  but  absolutely  necessary.     I  had 
received  a  letter  from  Capt.  M'Alpin,  of  the  5th 
inst.  who  commanded  at  Fort  Armstrong  in  the  ab- 
sence of  Col.  Snodgrass,  informing  me  that  14  or  15 
towns  of  the  enemy,  situated  on  the  waters  of  the 
Tallapoosa,  were  about  uniting  their  forces,  and  at- 
tacking that  place,  which  had  been  left  in  a  very 
feeble  state  of  defence.     You  had,  in  your  letter  of 
the  24th  ult.  informed  me  that  Gen.  Floyd  was 
about  to  make  a  movement  to  the  Tallapoosa,  near 
its  junction  with  the  Coosa  ;  and  in  the  same  letter, 
had   recommended    temporary    excursions   against 
such  of  the  enemy's  towns,  or  settlements,  as  might 
be  within  striking  distance,  as  well  to  prevent  my 
men  from  becoming  discontented,  as  to  harass  the 
enemy.     Your  ideas  corresponded  exactly  with  my 
own,  and  I  was  happy  in  the  opportunity  of  keep- 


il2  i^lEM«IRS    •! 

ing  my  men  encfaged,  distressing  the  enemy,  and  at 
the  same  time  making  a  diversion  to  facilitate  the 
operations  of  Gen.  Floyd. 

Determined  by  these  and  other  considerations, 
1  took  up  the  line  of  march  on  the  17th  inst.  and 
-en  the  18th  encamped  at  Talladega  Fort,  where  I 
was  joined  by  between  Sand  300  friendly  Indians; 
6.5  of  whom  were  Cherokees,  the  balance  Creeks, 
Here  I  received  your  letter  of  the  9th  inst.  stating 
that  Gen.  Floyd  was  expected  to  make  a  move- 
ment from  Cowetau  the  next  day,  and  that  in  10 
days  thereafter  he  would  establish  a  firm  position 
at  Tuckbatchee;  and  also  a  letter  from  Col.  Snod- 
grass,  who  had  returned  to  Fort  Armstrong,  inform- 
ing me  that  an  attack  was  intended  to  be  soon  made 
on  that  fort,  by  900  of  the  enemy.  If  I  could  have 
hesitated  before,  I  could  now  hesitate  no  longer.  I 
resolved  to  lose  no  time  in  meeting  tliis  force,  which 
was  understood  to  have  been  collected  from  New 
Yorcau,  Oakfuskie,  and  Ufauley  towns,  and  were 
concentrated  in  a  bend  of  the  Tallapoosa,  near  the 
mouth  of  a  creek,  called  Emuckfau,  and  on  an  isl- 
and below  New  Yorcau. 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th,  your  letter  of  the 
lOfh  inst.  forwarded  by  iM'Candles,  reached  me  at 
tbeJIillabee  creek;  and  that  night  1  encamped  at 
Enofachopco,  a  small  Hillabee  village,  about  12 
miles  from  Emuckfau.  Here  I  began  to  perceive 
very  plainly  how  little  knowledge  my  spies  had  of 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  1^^ 

the  country,  of  the  situation  of  the  enemy,  or  of 
the  distance  I  was  from  them.     The  insubordina- 
tion of  the  new  troops,    and  the  want  of  skill  iu 
most  of  their  officers,  also  became  more  and  more 
apparent.     But    their  ardour  to  meet  the  enemy 
was  not  diminished;  and  I  had  sure  reliance  upon 
the  guards,  and  upon  the  company  of  old  volunteer 
officers,  and  upon  the  spies,  in  all  about  125.     My 
wishes  and  my  duty  remained  united,  and  I  was 
determined  to  effect,  if  possible,  the  objects   for 
which   the  excursion  had  been  principally  under- 
taken. 

On  the  morning  of   the  21st,  I  marched    from 
Enotachopco,  as  direct  as  I  could  for  the  bend  of 
the  Tallapoosa,  and  about  2  o'clock,  P.  M.  my  spies 
having  discovered  two  of  the  enemy,  endeavoured 
to  overtake  them,  but  failed.     In  the  evening  I  fell 
in  upon  a  large  trail,  which  led  to  a  new  road,  much 
beaten,  and  lately  travelled.     Knowing  that  I  must 
have  arrived  within  the  neighbourhood  of  a  strong 
force,  and  it  being  late  in  the  day,  I  determined  to 
encamp,  and  reconnoitre  the  country  in  the  night. 
I  chose  the  best  site  the  country  would  admit,  en- 
camped in  a  hollow  square,  sent  out  my  spies  and 
pickets,  doubled  my  sentinels,  and  made  the  neces- 
sary arrangements  before  dark,  for  a  night  attack. 
About  10  o'clock  at  night,  one  of  the  pickets  fired 
at  three  of  the  enemy,  and  killed  one,  but  he  was 
not  found  until  the  next  day.    At  11  o'clock,  the 
K2 


114  MEMOIRS    OF 

spin's  whom  I  had  sent  out,  returned  with  the  infoF" 
niaiinn,  that  there  was  a  large  encanjpment  of  In- 
dian? at  the  distance  ofafiout  three  niiies.  who,  t>om 
tbf  ir  whooping  and  ilancing,  scenied  to  be  apprized 
of  our  approach.  One  o!  these  spies,  an  Indian,  in 
whom  I  had  c^reat  confidence,  assured  me  that  they 
were  carrying  otf  their  women  and  children,  and 
thai  the  warriors  would  either  make  their  escape, 
or  attack  me  before  day.  Being  prepared  at  all 
points,  nothing:!;  remained  to  be  done  but  to  await 
their  approach,  if  they  meditated  an  attack,  or  to 
be  in  readiness,  if  they  did  not,  to  pursue  and  attack 
them  at  day  light.  While  we  were  in  this  state  of 
readiness,  the  enemy,  about  6  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ina,  commenced  a  vigorous  attack  on  my  Jeft  flank, 
which  was  vigorously  met :  the  action  continued  to 
rage  on  my  left  flank,  and  on  the  left  of  my  rear, 
for  about  half  an  hour.  The  brave  Gen.  Coffee, 
with  Col.  Sitler,  the  adjutant-general,  and  Col.  Car- 
roll, the  inspector-general,  the  moment  the  firing 
commencfd,  mounted  their  horses  and  repaired  to 
the  line,  encouraging  and  animating  the  men  to  the 
performance  of  their  duty.  So  soon  as  it  became 
light  enough  to  pursue,  the  left  wing  having  sus- 
tained the  heat  of  the  action,  and  being  somewhat 
weakened,  was  reinforced  by  Capt.  Ferrill's  compa- 
ny of  infantry,  and  was  ordered  and  led  on  to  the 
charge  by  Gen  Cofl'ee,  who  was  well  supported  by 
Col.  Higgins  and  the  inspectorgencraK  and  by  all 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  115 

the  officers  and  privates  who  composed  that  line. 
The  enemy  was  completely  routed  at  every  point, 
and  the  friendly  Indians  joining  in  the  pursuit, 
they  were  chased  about  two  miles  with  considerable 
slaughter. 

The  chase  being  over,  I  immediately  detached 
Gen.  Coffee  with  400  men,  and  all  the  Indian  force, 
to  burn  their  encampment ;  but  it  was  said  by  some 
to  be  fortified.  I  ordered  him  in  that  event,  not 
to  attack  it  until  the  artillery  could  be  sent  forward 
to  reduce  it.  On  viewing  the  encampment  and  its 
strength,  the  general  thought  it  most  prudent  to 
return  to  my  encampment,  and  guard  the  artillery 
thither.  The  wisdom  of  this  step  was  soon  discov- 
ered— in  half  an  hour  after  his  return  to  camp,  a 
considerable  force  of  the  enemy  made  its  appear- 
ance on  my  right  flank,  and  commenced  a  brisk  fire 
on  a  party  of  men,  who  had  been  on  picket  guard 
the  night  before,  and  were  then  in  search  of  the  In- 
dians they  had  fired  upon,  some  of  whom  they  be- 
lieved had  been  killed.  Gen.  Coffee  immediately 
requested  me  to  let  him  take  200  men,  and  turn 
their  left  flank,  which  I  accordingly  ordered;  but, 
through  some  mistake,  which  I  did  not  then  observe, 
not  more  than  54  followed  him,  among  whom  were 
the  old  volunteer  officers.  With  these,  however, 
he  immediately  commenced  an  attack  on  the  left 
flank  of  the  enemy  ;  at  which  time  I  ordered  200  of 
the  friendly  Indians,  to  fall  in  upon  the  right  flank  of 


116  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  enemy,  and  co-operate  with  the  general.  This 
order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  on  the  moment  of 
ils  execution,  what  I  expected  was  realized.  The 
enemy  had  intended  the  attack  on  the  right  as  a 
feint,  and  expecting  to  direct  all  my  attention 
thither,  meant  to  attack  me  again,  and  with  their 
main  force,  on  the  left  flank,  which  they  had  hoped 
to  find  weakened  and  in  disorder — they  were  dis- 
appointed. I  had  ordered  the  left  flank  to  remain 
firm  in  its  place,  and  the  moment  the  alarm  gun 
was  heard  in  that  quarter,  I  repaired  thither,  and 
ordered  Capt.  Ferrill,  part  of  my  reserve,  to  sup- 
port it.  The  whole  line  met  the  approach  of  the 
enemy  with  astonishing  intrepidity,  and  having 
given  a  few  fires,  they  forthwith  charged  with  great 
vigour — the  eiTect  was  immediate  and  inevitable. 
The  enemy  fled  with  precipitation,  and  were  pur- 
sued to  a  considerable  distance,  by  the  left  flank 
and  the  friendly  Indians,  with  a  galling  and  de- 
structive fire.  Col.  Carroll,  who  ordered  the  charge, 
led  on  the  pursuit,  and  Col.  Higgins  and  his  regi- 
ment again  distinguished  themselves. 

In  the  mean  time.  Gen.  Cofifee  was  contending 
with  a  superior  force  of  the  enemy.  The  Indians 
who  I  had  ordered  to  his  support,  and  who  had  set 
out  for  this  purpose,  hearing  the  firing  on  the  left, 
had  returned  to  that  quarter,  and  when  the  enemy 
were  routed  there,  entered  into  the  chase.  That 
being  now  over,  I  forthwith  ordered  Jim  Fife,  who 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  117 

was  one  of  the  principal  coriinianders  of  the  friend- 
ly Creeks,  with  100  of  his  warriors,  to  execute  my 
first  order.  So  soon  as  he  reached  Gen.  Coffee,  the 
charge  was  made,  and  the  enemy  routed  ;  they 
were  pursued  about  three  miles,  and  45  of  them 
slain,  who  were  found.  Gen.  Coffee  was  wounded 
in  the  body,  and  his  aid-de-camp,  A.  Donaldson, 
killed,  together  with  three  others.  Having  brought 
in  and  buried  the  dead,  and  dressed  the  wounded, 
I  ordered  my  camp  to  be  fortified,  to  be  the  better 
prepared  to  repel  any  attack  which  might  be  made 
in  the  night,  determined  to  make  a  return  march 
to  Fort  Strother  the  following  day.  Many  causes 
concurred  to  make  such  a  measure  necessary,  as  I 
had  not  set  out  prepared,  or  with  a  view  to  make 
a  permanent  establishment.  I  considered  it  \^orse 
than  useless  to  advance,  and  destroy  an  empty  en- 
campment. I  had,  indeed,  hoped  to  have  met  the 
enemy  there,  but  having  met  and  beaten  them  a 
little  sooner,  I  did  not  think  it  necessary  or  prudent 
to  proceed  any  farther — not  necessary,  because  I 
had  accomplished  all  I  could  expect  to  effect  by 
inarching  to  their  encampment ;  and  because  if  it 
was  proper  to  contend  with  and  weaken  their  forces 
still  farther,  this  object  would  be  more  certainly 
attained,  by  commencing  a  return,  which  having 
to  them  the  appearance  of  a  retreat,  would  inspirit 
them  to  pursue  me.  Not  prudent — because  of  the 
number  of  my  wounded ;   of   the  reinforcement* 


118  MEMOIRS    OF 

from  below,  which  the  enemy  might  be  expected 
to  receive ;  of  the  starving  condition  of  my  horses, 
thty  having  had  neither  corn  nor  cane  for  two  days 
and  nights  ;  of  the  scarcity  of  supplies  for  my  men, 
the  Indians  who  joined  me  at  Talladega  having 
drawn  none,  and  being  w  holly  destitute  ;  and  be- 
cause if  the  enemy  pursued  me,  as  it  was  likely 
they  would,  the  diversion  in  favour  of  Gen.  Floyd 
would  be  the  more  complete  and  effectual.  Influ- 
enced by  these  considerations,  I  commenced  my 
return  march,  at  half  after  ten  on  the  23d,  and  was 
fortunate  enough  to  reach  Enotachopco  before  night, 
having  passed  without  interruption,  a  dangerous 
defile  occasioned  by  a  hurricane.  I  again  fortified 
my  camp,  and  having  another  defile  to  pass  in  the 
morning,  across  a  deep  creek,  and  between  two 
hills  which  I  had  viewed  with  attention  as  1  passed 
on,  and  where  I  expected  I  might  be  attacked,  I  de- 
termined to  pass  it  at  another  point,  and  gave  di- 
rections to  my  guide  and  fatigue  men  accordingly. 
My  expectation  of  an  attack  in  the  morning  was 
increased  by  the  signs  of  the  night,  and  with  it  my 
caution.  Before  I  moved  the  wounded  from  the 
interior  of  my  camp,  1  had  my  front  and  rear  guards 
formed,  as  well  as  my  right  and  left  columns,  and 
moved  off  my  centre  in  regular  order,  leading  down 
a  handsome  ridge  to  Enotachopco  creek,  at  a  point 
where  it  was  clear  of  reed,  except  immediately  on 
its  margin.    I  had  previously  issued  a  general  order, 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  119 

pointing  out  the  manner  in  which  the  men  should 
be  formed  in  the  event  of  an  attack  on  the  front  or 
rear,  or  on  the  flanks,  and  had  particularly  caution- 
ed the  officers  to  halt  and  form  accordingly,  the 
instant  the  word  should  be  given. 

The  front  guard  had  crossed  with  part  of  the 
flank  columns,  the  wounded  were  over,  and  the  ar- 
tillery in  the  act  of  entering  the  creek,  when  an 
alarm  gun  was  heard  in  the  rear.  I  heard  it  with- 
out surprise,  and  even  with  pleasure,  calculating 
with  the  utmost  confidence  on  the  firmness  of  ray 
troops,  from  the  manner  in  which  I  had  seen  them 
act  on  the  22d.  I  had  placed  Col.  Carroll  at  the 
head  of  the  centre  column  of  the  rear  guard  ;  its 
right  column  was  commanded  by  Col.  Perkins,  and 
its  left  by  Col.  Stump.  Having  chosen  the  ground, 
I  expected  there  to  have  entirely  cut  off  the  enemy, 
by  wheeling  the  right  and  left  columns  on  their  pi- 
vot, recrossing  the  creek  above  and  below,  and  fall- 
ing in  upon  their  flanks  and  rear.  But  to  my  aston- 
ishment and  mortification,  when  the  word  was  given 
by  Coh  Carroll  to  halt  and  form,  and  a  few  guns 
had  been  fired,  I  beheld  the  right  and  left  columns 
of  the  rear  guard  precipitately  give  way.  This 
shameful  retreat  was  disastrous  in  the  extreme ; 
it  drew  along  with  it  the  greater  part  of  the  centre 
column,  leaving  not  more  than  25  men,  who  being 
formed  by  Col.  Carro'l,  maintained  their  ground 
as  long  as  it  was  possible  to  maintain  it  j  and  it 


120  MEMOIRS    OF 

brought  consternation  and  confusion  into  the  centre 
of  the  army  ;  a  consternation  which  was  not  easily 
removed,  and  a  confusion  which  could  not  be  soon 
restored  to  order.  There  was  then  left  to  repulse 
the  enemy,  the  few  who  remained  of  the  rear  guard, 
the  artillery  company,  and  Capt.  RusselTs  company 
of  spies.  They  however,  realized,  and  exceeded 
my  highest  expectations.  Lieut.  Armstrong,  who 
commanded  the  artillery  company  in  the  absence 
of  Capt.  Deaderick,  (confined  by  sickness.)  order- 
ed them  to  form  and  advance  to  the  top  of  the  hill, 
whilst  he  and  a  few  others  dragged  up  the  six 
pounder.  Never  was  more  bravery  displayed  than 
on  this  occasion.  Amidst  the  most  galling  fire 
from  the  enemy,  more  than  ten  times  their  number, 
they  ascended  the  hill,  and  maintained  their  posi- 
tion until  their  piece  was  hauled  up,  when  having 
levelled  it,  they  poured  upon  the  enemy  a  fire  of 
grape,  reloaded  and  fired  again,  charged  and  re- 
pulsed them. 

The  most  deliberate  bravery  was  displayed  by 
Constantine  Perkins  and  Craven  Jackson,  of  the 
artillery,  acting  as  gunners.  In  the  hurry  of  the 
mouipnt,  in  separating  the  gun  from  the  limbers, 
the  rammer  and  picker  of  the  cannon  was  left  tied 
to  the  limber.  No  sooner  was  this  discovered, 
than  Jackson,  amidst  the  galling  fire  of  the  enemy, 
pulled  out  the  rimrod  of  his  musket  and  used  it 
as  a  picker ;  primed  with  a  cartridge  and  fired  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  121 

cannon.  Perkins  having  pulled  off  his  bayonet, 
used  his  musket  as  a  rammer,  drove  down  the  cart- 
ridge; and  Jackson  using  his  former  plan,  again 
discharged  her.  The  brave  Lieut.  Armstrong,  just 
after  the  first  fire  of  the  cannon,  with  Capt.  Ham- 
ilton of  East  Tennessee,  Bradford  and  M'Gavock, 
all  fell,  the  Lieut,  exclaiming  as  he  lay,  *'  my  brave 
fellows.,  some  of  you  may  fall,  but  you  must  save  the 
cannonJ^  About  this  time,  a  number  crossed  the 
creek  and  entered  into  the  cha^e.  The  brave 
Capt.  Gordon  of  the  spies,  who  rushed  from  the 
front,  endeavoured  to  turn  the  flank  of  the  enemy, 
in  which  he  partially  succeeded,  and  Col.  Carroll, 
Col.  Higgins,  and  Capts.  Elliot  and  Pipkins,  pursu- 
ed the  enemy  for  more  than  two  miles,  who  fled  in 
consternation,  throwing  away  their  packs,  and  leav- 
ing 26  of  their  warriors  dead  on  the  field.  This  last 
defeat  was  decisive,  and  we  were  no  more  disturbed 
by  their  yells.  I  should  do  injustice  to  my  feelings 
if  I  omitted  to  mention  that  the  venerable  Judge 
Cocke,  at  the  age  of  65,  entered  into  the  engage^ 
raent,  continued  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy  with 
youthful  ardour,  and  saved  the  life  of  a  fellow  sol- 
dier, by  killing  his  savage  antagonist. 

Our  loss  in  this  aflfair  was  —  killed  and  wounded, 
among  the  former  was  the  brave  Capt.  Hamilton 
from  E.  Tennessee,  who  had  with  his  aged  father 
and  two  others  of  his  company,  after  the  period  of 

liis  engagement  had  expired,  volunteered  his  servi- 
L 


122  MEMOIRS  01' 

ces  for  this  excursion,  and  attached  himself  to  the 
artillery  company.  No  man  ever  fought  more 
bravely,  or  fell  more  gloriously ;  and  by  his  side 
f6ll  with  equal  bravery  and  glory.  Bird  Evans  of 
the  same  company.  Capt.  Quarles,  who  command- 
ed the  centre  column  of  the  rear  guard,  preferring 
death  to  the  abandonment  of  his  post,  having  taken 
a  firm  stand  in  which  he  was  followed  by  25  of  his 
men,  received  a  wound  in  his  head  of  which  he  has 
since  died. 

In  these  several  engagements,  our  loss  was  20 
killed  and  75  wounded,  4  of  whom  have  since  died. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  cannot  be  accurately  ascer- 
tained ;  180  of  their  warriors  were  found  dead ; 
but  this  must  fall  considerably  short  of  the  number 
really  killed.  Their  wounded  can  only  be  guessed 
at. 

Had  it  not  been  for  the  unfortunate  retreat  of  the 
rear  guard  in  the  affair  of  the  24lh  inst.  1  think  I 
could  safely  have  said,  that  no  army  of  militia  ever 
acted  with  more  cool  and  deliberate  bravery :  un- 
disciplined and  inexperienced  as  they  were,  their 
conduct  in  the  several  engagements  of  the  22d, 
could  not  have  been  surpassed  by  regulars.  No 
men  ever  met  the  approach  of  an  enemy  with  more 
intrepidity,  or  repulsed  them  with  more  energy. 
On  the  24th,  after  the  retreat  of  the  rear  guard, 
they  seemed  to  have  lost  all  their  collectedness,  and 
were  more  difficult  to  be  restored  to  order,  than 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  12^ 

any  troops  I  had  ever  seen.  But  this  was  no  doubt, 
owing  in  a  great  measure,  or  altogether,  to  that 
very  retreat,  and  ought  rather  to  be  ascribed  to  the 
want  of  conduct  in  many  of  their  officers,  than  any 
cowardice  in  the  men,  who  on  every  occasion,  have 
manifested  a  willingness  to  perform  their  duty  so 
far  as  they  knew  it. 

All  the  effects  which  were  designed  to  be  pro- 
duced by  this  excursion,  it  is  believed  have  been 
produced.  If  an  attack  was  meditated  against  Fort 
Armstrong,  that  has  been  prevented.  If  General 
Floyd  is  operating  on  the  east  side  of  the  Tallapoo- 
sa, as  I  suppose  him  to  be,  a  most  fortunate  di- 
version has  been  made  in  his  favour.  The  number 
of  the  enemy  has  been  diminished,  and  the  confi- 
dence they  may  have  derived  from  the  delays  I 
have  been  made  to  experience,  has  been  destroyed. 
Discontent  has  been  kept  out  of  my  army,  while 
the  troops  who  would  have  been  exposed  to  it,  have 
been  beneficially  employed.  The  enemy's  country 
has  been  explored,  and  a  road  cut  to  the  point 
where  their  force  will  probably  be  concentrated, 
when  they  shall  be  driven  from  the  country  below. 
But  in  a  report  of  this  kind,  and  to  you  who  will 
immediately  perceive  them,  it  is  not  necessary  to 
state  the  happy  consequences  which  may  be  ex- 
pected to  result  from  this  excursion.  Unless  I  am 
greatly  mistaken,  it  will  be  found  to  have  hastened 
the  termination  o£  the  Creek  war,  more  effectually 


12^  MEMOIRS    Of 

than  any  measure  I  could  have  taken  with  the  troopfe 
under  my  command.  I  am,  Sir,  with  sentiments  of 
high  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

ANDREW  JACKSON,  Maj.  Gen. 

When  it  is  considered  what  troops  Gen.  Jackson 
had  to  command,  and  what  enemies  he  had  to  fight, 
(he  two  victories  at  Emuck/aiVt  on  the  22d,  and  the 
signal  one  of  Eriotachopco,  on  the  2kih,  will  bear 
a  comparison  with  any  in  modern  warfare.  The 
liberal  applause  the  general  bestows  upon  the  brave, 
and  the  excuse  he  finds  for  those  whose  "  retreat 
^ight  rather  to  be  ascribed  to  the  jvant  of  conduct  in- 
many  of  their  officers^  than  to  any  cotvardice  in,  the 
vien^'^  must  endear  him  for  ever  to  the  soldier. 
The  ^^  venerable  Judge  Cocke^^  (who  survived,)  and 
"  the  brave  Lieut,  Jrmstrong,^'  and  Capts.  Hamilton 
and  Quarks,  (who  all  fell,)  are  placed,  by  the  gen- 
eral's report,  upon  the  rolls  of  fame. 


ANDREW    JACKSON*  l^^ 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Gen.  Jackson  prepares  for  a  new  expedition-receives  an  account  of 
the  victory  at  Chatahouchee-adopts  a  new  mode  to  obtain  sup. 
plies-Army  Contractors-Energetic  measures-Great  victory  at 
Tohopeka— Savage  warfare— British  and  Spanish  emissaries. 

The  solicitude  evinced  by  Gen.  Jackson,  in  his 
report,  incorporated  in  the  last  chapter,  for  the  safe- 
ty, security,  and  success  of  Gen.  Floyd,  could  not 
have  escaped  the  attention  of  the  reader.  It  must 
have  been  greatly  diminished  by  the  signal  victo- 
lies  he  therein  so  perspicuously  describes ;  but  this 
did  not  induce  him  to  remit  any  of  his  customary 
vigilance,  or  to  omit  any  measure  necessary  to  secure 
the  advantage  he  had  gained.  He  had  »*  scotched 
the  snake,  not  killed  him,'' 

Gen.  Jackson  had  now  with  him  his  beloved  as- 
sociates, Brig.  Gen.  Coffee,  Col.  Dyer,  Col.  Carroll, 
Maj.  Reid,  (his  aid,)  and  many  other  accomplished 
and  patriotic  officers.  The  disaffected  officers  had 
either  reti&ed  to  that  obscurity  which  was  their  on- 
Jy  safety,  or  remained  envious  spectators  of  that  ex- 
cellence which  they  could  not  reach,  and  detractors 
of  those  great  men,  whose  gallant  exploits  they  had 
not  the  courage  to  achieve.  He  had  a  band  of  nev? 
volunteers,  who  had  suddenly  become  veterans,  and 


12&  MEMOIRS    OF 

familiarized  with  victory.  But  still  his  force  was 
inadequate  to  the  complete  accomplishment  of  his 
primary  objecl  — the  effectual  subjection  of  the 
Creeks.  He  knew  that  the  government  of  the 
Anierican  Republic  had  inviolably  regarded  all 
treaties  made,  and  performed  every  stipulation  en- 
tered into  with  them.  He  knew,  and  he  lamented, 
the  infatuation  under  which  they  acted  ;  and  re- 
gretted that  a  race  of  beings,  possessing  the  most 
exalted  courage,  should  become  victims  in  subser- 
ving the  cause  of  the  British  and  Spanish  monarchs. 
But  his  duty  to  his  country  was,  with  him,  para- 
mount to  every  other  consideration  ;  and  he  was  re- 
aolved,  as  long  as  the  last  glimmer  of  hope  remain- 
ed unextinguished,  not  to  despair  of  the  common- 
wealth. 

After  the  victories  of  the  22d  and  24th,  he  and 
his  officers  were  incessantly  engaged  in  disciplining 
the  forces  with  them,  and  incorporating  into  the 
little  army  such  recruits  as  arrived.  These  duties 
•were  entirely  different  from  those  belonging  to  offi- 
cers in  the  regular  army,  at  a  well  appointed  can- 
tonment. There,  the  commanding  and  subordinate 
officers  have  specific  duties  to  perform;  and  the 
soldiers,  so  far  from  thinking  of  disobedience,  or 
plotting  mutinies,  scarcely  utter  a  complaint.  Gen. 
Jackson  had  never  yet  commanded  such  a  body  of 
men,  in  such  a  situation.  His  subordinate  officers 
Tiad  been  his  companions,  and  his  volunteers  had 


ANDREW    JACKSON. 


127 


been  his  fellow  citizens.  He  had  depended  more 
upon  the  weight  of  his  character,  and  his  devotion 
to  the  service,  than  upon  military  authority,  to  ac- 
complish what  he  had  done.  He  had,  in  many  in- 
stances, found  that  the  most  urgent  entreaties,  and 
the  most  energetic  remonstrances,  were  ineffectual, 
and  was  now  resolved  to  exercise  the  authority 
which  was  vested  in  him. 

While  he  was  exerting  every  faculty  which  native 
energy  and  military  authority  enabled  him  to  call 
into  operation,  to  prepare  for  more  important  meas- 
ures, he  was  highly  gratified  at  receiving  the  most 
favourable  intelligence  from  the  Georgia  forces  un- 
der Brig.  Gen.  Floyd. 

That  officer  was  stationed,  with  his  troops,  at 
Camp  Defiance,  50  miles  west  of  Chatahouchee,  Up- 
on the  27th  January,  he  was  assailed  very  early,  by 
a  numerous  horde  of  savages.  The  sentinels  were 
suddenly  driven  in,  and  a  most  desperate  attack  was 
commenced  upon  the  lines.  Gen.  Floyd  thus  de- 
scribes the  engagement. 

"  The  steady  firmness  and  incessant  fire  of  Capt. 
Thomas's  artillery,  and  Capt.  Adams's  riflemen,  pre- 
served our  front  line:  both  of  these  suffered  greatly. 
The  enemy  rushed  within  30  yards  of  the  artillery, 
and  Capt.  Broadnax,  who  commanded  one  of  the 
picket  guards,  maintained  his  post  with  great  brave- 
ry, until  the  enemy  gained  his  rear,  and  then  cut  his 


iSi  StEMeiRS    OF 

way  through  them  to  the  army.  On  this  occasion, 
Timpoochie  Barnuel,  a  half  breed,  at  the  head  of  the 
Uchiesy  distinguished  himself,  and  contributed  to 
the  retreat  of  the  picket  guard:  the  other  friendly 
Indians  took  refuge  within  our  lines  and  remained 
inactive,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  who  joined  our 
ranks.  So  soon  as  it  became  light  enough  to  distin* 
guish  objects,  I  ordered  Majors  Watson's  and  Free«- 
man's  battalions,  to  wheel  up  at  right  angles,  with 
Majors  Booth's  and  Cleveland's  battalions,  (who 
formed  the  right  wing,)  to  prepare  for  the  charge. 
Capt.  Duke  Hamilton's  cavalry,  (who  had  reached 
me  but  the  day  before,)  was  ordered  to  form  in  the 
rear  of  the  right  wing,  to  act  as  circumstances  should 
dictate.  The  order  for  the  charge  was  promptly 
obeyed,  and  the  enemy  fled  in  every  direction  before 
the  bayonet.  The  signal  was  given  for  the  charge 
of  the  cavalry,  who  pursued,  and  sabred  15  of  the 
enemy  ;  who  left  37  dead  on  the  field.  From  the 
effusion  of  blood,  and  the  number  of  head-dresses 
and  war-clubs  found  in  various  directions,  their  loss 
must  have  been  considerable,  independent  of  the 
wounded. 

I  directed  the  friendly  Indians,  with  3Ierriweth- 
er's  and  Ford's  rifle  companies,  accompanied  by 
Capt.  Hamilton's  troop,  to  pursue  them  through 
Callibee  swamp,  where  they  were  trailed  by  their 
1)lood,  but  succeeded  in  overtakinj^  but  one  of  IhCi* 
wounded. 


JlNDREW    JACKSON.  12^ 

Colonel  Newman  received  three  balls  in  the  com- 
mencement of  the  action,  which  deprived  me  of  the 
services  of  that  gallant  and  useful  officer.  The  as- 
sistant Adjt.  Gen.  Narden,  was  indefatigable  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duty,  and  rendered  important  ser- 
vices :  his  horse  was  wounded  under  him.  The 
wiiole  of  the  staff  was  prompt,  and  discharged  their 
duty  with  courage  and  fidelity:  their  vigilance, 
the  intrepidity  of  the  officers,  and  the  firmness  of 
the  men,  meet  my  approbation,  and  deserve  the 
praise  of  their  country.  I  have  to  regret  the  death 
of  many  of  my  brave  fellows,  who  have  found  hon- 
ourable graves  in  the  voluntary  support  of  their 
country. 

My  aid-de-camp,  in  executing  my  orders,  had 
his  horse  killed  under  him.  Gen.  Lee  and  Maj^ 
Pace,  who  acted  as  additional  aids,  rendered  me 
essential  services,  with  honour  to  themselves,  and 
usefulness  to  the  cause  in  which  they  have  embark- 
ed. Four  waggon,  and  several  other  horses  were 
killed,  and  two  of  the  artillery  horses  woundod. 
While  I  deplore  the  losses  sustained  on  this  occa*. 
sion,  I  have  the  consolation  to  know,  that  the  men 
who  I  have  the  honour  to  command,  have  done 
their  duty." 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  battle,  was  17 
killed,  and  133  wounded.     General  Jackson  found 


130  jJEMOIRS    OF 

that  one  great  object  of  his  last  brilliant  expeditioij, 
was  effected— the  relief  of  the  Georgia  militia. 

It  was  now  the  1st  of  February,  1814  General 
Jackson's  forces  were  at  Fort  Strother,  where,  al- 
though in  no  immediate  danger  of  famine,  there 
was  by  no  means  a  supply  for  any  length  of  time. 
Gen.  Jackson,  ever  since  he  had  commanded  the 
army  in  the  Creek  country,  had  had  his  attention 
diverted  from  the  great  object  of  a  general — the 
organization  of  his  army — the  introduction  of  cor- 
rect discipline,  and  preparation  for  active  service. 
Indeed,  he  had  to  perform  the  duty  of  Commissary, 
Quarter-Master,  and  Commander.  Washington 
was  often  in  his  situation  in  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. He  could  find  an  excuse  for  his  countrymen, 
in  the  then  destitute  state  of  the  country;  but  for 
the  contractors  lor  the  southern  army  in  1814,  there 
was  no  excuse.  In  a  country  abounding  in  beeves, 
swine,  and  bread  stuffs,  an  army  had  often  been 
driven  to  mutiny  and  desertion,  through  the  ap- 
prehension of  want.  There  is,  probably,  not  an 
officer  in  the  American  service,  but  who  will  con- 
demn the  mode  of  supplying  an  army  by  contrac- 
tors. They  make  the  best  terms  they  can  with  the 
government  for  themselves ;  the  hardest  possible 
terms  for  the  seller  of  provisions ;  and  often  furnish 
the  war-worn  veteran  with  rations  deficient  in  quan- 
tity, and  miserable  in  quality.  They  think  of  no- 
thing but  gaining  a  fortune,  while  the  gallant  sol- 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  131 

diers  who  are  suffering  by  their  frauds,  and  famish- 
ing by  their  avarice,  are  gaining  victories  for  their 
country. 

Gen.  Jackson,  who  may  emphatically  be  called 
the  Soldier's  Patron,  had  suffered  too  much,  with 
his  brave  soldiers,  for  longer  endurance.  He  sup- 
plied his  army  by  his  own  agents,  leaving  the  con- 
tractors to  pay  the  expense.  When  no  longer  any 
cause  existed  for  complaints  in  his  camp,  he  silenced 
them.  He  caused  a  mutineer  to  be  tried  by  a  court 
martial ;  and  when  condemned  to  die,  he  approved 
of  the  sentence,  and  he  suffered  death.  He  ordered 
every  officer  to  be  arrested  within  his  command, 
who  should  be  found  exciting  mutiny  or  disobedi- 
ence. He  knew  that  a  crisis  had  arrived  when  a 
great  blow  must  be  struck,  or  the  expedition  aban- 
doned. 

The  Creeks  had  assembled  in  very  great  force  at 
the  bend  of  the  Tallapoosa,  at  a  place  called  by  the 
savages,  Tohopeka — by  the  Americans,  The  Horse 
Shoe.  At  this  place,  the  most  desperate  resistance 
was  expected  ;  and  every  measure,  within  the  lim- 
ited means  of  General  Jackson,  was  resorted  to,  to 
meet  it. 

The  39th  regiment  U.  S.  infantry,  under  the 
command  of  **  the  intrepid  and  skilful  Colonel  Wil- 
liamsy''  had  been  ordered  to  join  the  army  under 
Gen.  Jackson.  It  did  not  exceed  600  men.  By 
the  middle  of  March,  his  whole  force  amounted  to 


1S2  MEMOIRS    •F 

between  3  and  4000.  He  then  commenced  hi? 
march.  Upon  the  21st,  he  established  a  fort  at 
the  mouth  of  Cedar  creek,  and  named  it  Fort  Wil- 
liams. Leaving  a  sufficient  force  to  protect  it,  he 
renewed  his  march  upon  the  24th.  Upon  the  2rth, 
a  day  which  w  ill  be  remembered  in  the  traditional 
annals  of  the  brave,  the  infatuated,  the  blood- 
thirsty Creeks,  until  they  become  extinct,  General 
Jackson  and  his  army  reached  Tohopeka,  The 
events  of  that  day,  are  thus  briefly  detailed  by  the 
commander. 

Battle  Groundy  Bend  of  Tallapoosa, 
2Sth  March,  1814. 
Maj.  Gen.  Pincknet, 

Sir, — I  feel  particularly  happy  in  being  able  to 
commiHiicate  to  you,  the  fortunate  eventuation  of 
my  expedition  to  the  Tallapoosa.  I  reached  the 
head,  near  the  Emuckfau,  called  by  the  whites  the 
Horse  Shoe,  about  10  o'clock,  on  the  forenoon  of 
yesterday,  where  I  found  the  strength  of  the  neigh- 
bouring towns  collected.  Expecting  our  approach, 
they  had  gathered  in  from  Oakfuskie,  Oakehoga, 
New  Yorcau,  Hillabees,  the  Fish  Pond,  and  EuXau- 
lee  towns,  to  the  number,  it  is  said,  of  1000.  It  is 
difiicult  to  conceive  a  situation  more  eligible  for  de- 
fence than  the  one  they  had  chost  n,  or  one  rendered 
more  secure  by  the  skill  with  which  they  had  erect- 
ed their  breast-work*    It  was  from  5  to  8  feet  higb. 


ANiDREW   JACKSON.  133 

and  extended  across  the  point  in  such  a  direction, 
as  that  a  force  approaching  it  would  be  exposed  to 
a  double  fire,  while  they  lay  in  perfect  security  be- 
hind. A  cannon,  planted  at  one  extremity,  could 
have  raked  it  to  no  advantage. 

Determining  to  exterminate  them,  I  detached 
Gen.  ColTee,  with  the  mounted  men,  and  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  Indian  force,  early  on  the  morning  of 
yesterday,  to  cross  the  river,  about  two  miles  below 
their  encampment,  and  to  surround  the  bend  in 
such  a  manner,  as  that  none  of  them  should  escape 
by  attempting  to  cross  the  river.  With  the  infant- 
ry, I  proceeded  slowly,  and  in  order,  along  the 
point  of  land  which  led  to  the  front  of  their  breast- 
work ;  having  planted  my  cannon,  one  6  and  one  3 
pounder,  on  an  eminence,  at  the  distance  of  150  to 
200  yards  from  it,  I  opened  a  very  brisk  fire,  play- 
ing upon  the  enemy  with  muskets  and  rifles,  when- 
ever they  shewed  themselves  beyond  it.  This  was 
kept  up,  with  short  interruptions,  for  about  two 
hours,  when  a  part  of  the  Indian  force,  and  Capt. 
Russell*s  and  Lieut.  Bean's  company^  of  spies,  who 
had  accompanied  Gen.  Coffee,  crossed  over  in  canoes 
to  the  extremity  of  the  bend,  and  set  fire  to  a  few 
of  the  buildings  which  were  there  situated ;  they 
then  advanced  with  great  gallantry  towards  the 
breast-work,  and  commenced  a  spirited  fire  upon 
the  enemy  behind  it. 

Finding    that  this   force,   notwithstanding  the 


1S4  MEMOIRS   OF 

bravery  they  displayed,  was  wholly  insufficient  to 
dislodge  them,  and  that  Geu.  Coffee  had  entirely 
secured  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river,  I  now  de- 
termined to  take  it  by  storm.  The  men  by  whom 
this  was  to  be  effected,  had  been  waiting  with  im- 
patience to  receive  the  order,  and  hailed  it  with 
acclamation. 

The  spirit  which  animated  them,  was  a  sure  au- 
gury of  the  success  which  was  to  follow.  The  his- 
tory of  warfare,  I  think,  furnishes  few  instances  of 
a  more  brilliant  attack.  The  regulars,  led  on  by 
their  intrepid  and  skilful  commander,  Col.  Williams, 
and  by  the  gallant  Maj.  Montgomery,  soon  gained 
possession  of  the  works,  in  the  midst  of  a  most  tre- 
mendous fire  from  behind  them  ;  and  the  militia  of 
the  venerable  Gen.  Doherty's  brigade,  accompanied 
them  in  the  charge  with  a  vivacity  and  firmness 
which  would  have  done  honour  to  regulars.  The 
enemy  were  completely  routed.  Five  hundred  and 
fifty-seven  were  left  dead  on  the  peninsula,  and  a 
great  number  were  killed  by  the  horsemen  in  at- 
tempting to  cross  the  river:  it  is  believed  that  not 
more  than  20  have  escaped. 

The  fighting  continued  with  some  severity  about 
5  hours,  but  we  continued  to  destroy  many  of  them 
who  had  concealed  themselves  under  the  banks  of 
the  river,  until  we  were  prevented  by  the  night. 
This  morning  we  killed  16,  who  had  been  concealed. 
We  took  about  250  prisoners,  all  women  and  chil- 


ANDREW    JACKSON^  135 

dren,  except  two  or  three.  Our  loss  is  160  wound- 
ed, and  25  killed:  Maj.  M'Intosh,  (the  Cowetau,) 
who  joined  my  army  with  a  part  of  his  tribe,  great- 
Jy  distinguished  himself.  When  I  get  an  hour'0 
leisure,  I  will  send  you  a  more  detailed  account. 

According  to  my  original  purpose,  I  commenced 
my  return  march  to  Fort  Williams  to-day,  and  shall, 
if  I  find  sufficient  supplies  there,  hasten  to  the  Hick- 
ory Ground.  The  power  of  the  Creeks  is,  I  think, 
i'or  ever  broken. 

I  send  you  a  hasty  sketch,  taken  by  the  eye,  of 
the  situation  on  which  the  enemy  were  encamped, 
and  of  the  manner  in  which  I  approached  them.  I 
have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON,  Maj.  Gen. 

Maj.  Gen,  Pinckney, 

The  loss  of  the  Americans,  added  to  the  whole 
loss  of  the  friendly  Indians,  was  54  killed  and  156 
vrounded. 

In  communicating  the  resultof  this  victory,  with- 
out a  parallel,  to  the  War  Department,  Gen.  Pinck- 
ney  elegantly  and  impressively  observes, — »  While 
the  sigh  of  humanity  will  escape,  far  this  profuse 
effusion  of  human  blood,  which  results  from  the 
savage  principle  of  our  enemy,  neither  to  give  nor 
accept  quarter;  and  while  every  American  will 
deeply  lament  the  loss  of  our  meritorious  fellow  sol- 
diers v/ho  have  fallen  in  this  contest,  we  have  ample 


136  MEMOIRS    OF 

cause  of  gratitude  to  the  giver  of  all  victory,  for 
thus  continuing  his  protection  to  our  women,  and 
children,  who  would  otherwise  be  exposed  to  the  in- 
discriminate havoc  of  the  tomahavvk,  and  all  the 
horrors  of  savage  warfare." 

The  aged  soldier  who  has  been  familiarized 
through  life  with  civilized  warfare,  can  form  but  an 
imperfect  idea  of  war,  as  carried  on  by  savages. 
Those  who  have  passed  their  lives  in  the  tranquil 
scenes  of  civil  life,  are  still  more  incompetent  to 
form  a  conception  of  its  horrors.  We  can  read  its 
history  and  weep;  but  were  we  to  witness  its  tragi- 
cal scenes,  even  tears  would  be  stopped,  by  the 
ghastly  and  appalling  forms,  in  which  death  is  pre- 
sented to  the  view  of  its  victims.  The  writer  has 
seen  nothing  of  savage  warfare,  and  but  little  of  sav- 
age life  in  a  state  of  peace ;  but  he  can  yet  almost 
realize  its  horrors  from  impressions,  never  to  be  erad- 
icated, made  upon  his  mind  in  the  earliest  stages  of 
life.  His  venerated  grandfather,  Israel  Putnam, 
**  seamed  with  viany  a  scar,'^  by  the  knives  and  toma- 
hawks of  savages,  as  he  was  treading  the  last  steps 
that  carried  him  to  his  tomb,  related  to  his  listening 
grand-children,  the  tortures  he  had  borne  from  sav- 
ages, and  his  ^^  hair  breadth  'scapes^'  from  savage 
death.  His  accomplished  Aid-de-camp,  General 
Humphreys,  has  left  them  upon  the  page  of  Biog- 
raphy.'* 

•  Vide  Humphreys*  Life  of  Putnam,  rages  67,  68,  69,  82. 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  l3f 

The  severity  of  Gen.  Jackson  with  the  Creeks, 
has  been  a  subject  of  severe  animadversion  with  ma- 
ny who  sympathize  with  savages,  but  who  can  rea-  - 
dily  forget  the  indiscriminate  slaughter  at  Tensaw. 
Let  such  remember  that  at  Fort  Mitnms  in  that  set- 
tlement, the  unoffending  citizen  was  consumed  by 
fire — his  beseeching  wife  and  helpless  children  were, 
by  the  same  tomahawk,  in  the  same  moment,  inhu- 
manly murdered.     And  to  make  them  withdraw 
their  ill-placed  sympathy,  let  them  remember  that 
the  fate  which  there  swallowed  up  the  whole  of  the 
citizens,  and  the  whole  of  their  defenders,  was  de- 
clared to  be  the  destiny  of  every  American,  within 
the  reach  of  savage  vengeance. 

Whatever  injustice  the  Aborigines  of  America 
may  have  endured  from  Europeans  in  the  early  set- 
tlements of  North  America,  they  have  no  cause  of 
complaint  against  the  present  generation  of  Anglo- 
Americans,  who  are  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
nor  against  the  government  of  the  American  Repub- 
lic. Mildness  has  marked  the  policy  of  individuals 
in  their  intercourse  with  the  natives,  and  lenity  and 
justice  has  characterized  every  measure  of  the  Amer- 
ican administrations  in  regard  to  them,  from  the 
commencement  of  the  government  under  the  sainted 
Washington,  to  this  period.  While  the  state  has 
protected  them  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  temporal 
rights,  the  church  has,  with  unceasing  exertions,  en- 
deavoured to  convert  them  to  Christianity. 
M2 


138  MEMOIRS    OF 

But  every  measure  to  introduce  among  them  the 
arts  of  civilized  life  and  the  benign  influence  of 
Christianity,  "  to  soothe  the  savage  breast^  has  been 
tliwarted  by  ihe  poisonous  influence  of  British  and 
Spanish  emissaries.  Upon  them,  let  a  double  por- 
tion of  indignation  be  poured,  as  the  guilty  causes  of 
the  miseries  inflicted  by  savages  upon  Americans, 
and  of  the  almost  total  extinction  of  the  Indians  by 
the  arm  of  power.  Indubitable  testimony  v^  ill  sup- 
port the  as'^ertion,  that  every  Indian  v  ar  in  North 
America,  from  the  treaty  of  peace  in  1783,  to  this 
period,  has  been  occasioned  by  foreign  emissaries. 
Although  the  British  government  was  compelled  to 
acknowledge  the  independence  of  the  American 
Republic,  it  has  always  endeavoured  to  check  its 
rising  greatness.  They  still  hope  to  subjugate  it 
to  their  dominion,  by  the  power  of  their  navy  up- 
on the  seaboard,  and  of  their  savage  allies  upon 
the  frontiers;  It  would  be  a  handsome  accession 
to  the  power  of  the  *'  legitimate  sovereigns"  of 
Europe,  to  behold  George  III.  (or  IV.)  wielding 
the  sceptre  of  power  over  North,  and  Ferdinand 
VII.  over  South  America. 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  139 


CHAPTER  X. 

Conclusion  of  the  Creek  war — Return  of  Gen.  Jackson  and  Volua* 
teers — their  reception  and  separation — Geu.  Jackson  is  appointed 
Brigadier-General  in  U.  S.  army — also  a  Commissioner  to  treat 
with  Creek  Indians — concludes  a, treaty — Foreign  emissaries— In- 
dian eloquence — Speech  of  Witherford— of  Big  Warrior — of  Te- 
cumseh,  and  his  death. 

Having  accomplished  the  object  of  the  expedi- 
tion to  the  rallapoosa,  by  the  viotory  at  Tohopeka^ 
Gen.  Jackson  returned  with  his  army  to  Fort  Wil- 
liams, about  the  1st  of  April.  Incessant  fatigue 
and  arduous  duty,  had  retarded  the  recovery  of 
his  health,  and  reduced  him  almost  to  a  skeleton; 
but  the  animation  he  felt  at  having  effected,  in  a 
few  months,  what,  from  every  former  prospect, 
would  have  been  supposed  to  need  the  exertion  of 
years,  made  him  forget  his  debility ;  and  his  mind 
arose  in  majesty,  as  his  body  was  emaciated  by  toil. 
Proud  of  the  title  "  Commander  of  Tennessee  Vol- 
unteer Sy^  he  rejoiced  that  they  had  retrieved  the 
reputation  they  had  recently  tarnished  by  mutiny 
and  disaffection. 

His  object  now  was  to  form  a  junction  with  the 
forces  of  the  state  of  Georgia,  and  either  complete 
the  extermination  of  the  Creeks,  or  compel  them  to 
bury  the  tomahavvi,  and  sue  for  peace.     The  Hih 


140  xMEMQIRS    Of 

labeeSf  a  cian  of  them,  for  reasons  before  mentioned, 
were  the  last  to  supplicate  for  mercy.  The  attack 
made  upon  them  the  18th  November,  1813,  by 
Gen.  White,  when  they  were  urgent  to  make  peace 
with  Gen.  Jackson,  rendered  them  desperate.— 
The  remnants  of  all  the  tribes  had  assembled  at 
Hothlewalee,  in  the  Hickory  Ground,  Gen,  Jackson 
with  his  foices,  went  in  pursuit  of  them.  But 
despair  had  now  succeeded  to  fury,  and  the  savages 
dispersed.  The  general  prosecuted  his  march  to 
the  Hickory  Ground,  and  on  or  about  the  loth 
April,  established  a  fort  upon  the  Coosa,  near  its 
confluence  with  the  Tallapoosa,  which  was  named 
Fort  Jackson*  This  completed  a  line  of  posts 
through  Tennessee,  Georgia,  and  the  Alabama 
Territory. 

The  Georgia  forces  had  formed  a  junction  with 
the  conquering  general;  and  upon  the  20th  April, 
Maj.  Gen.  Pinckney,  commander  in  chief  of  Mili- 
tary Districts  No.  6  and  7,  arrived  at  Fort  Jackson, 
and  assumed  the  command  of  the  whole  forces  in 
the  Creek  country.  Gen.  Pinckney  invited  Gen. 
Jackson  to  his  head  quarters,  where  a  splendid  en- 
tertainment had  been  prepared.  This  emaciated 
and  war-worn  veteran,  with  some  of  his  principal 
officers,  partook  of  it  with  the  Commander  in  Chief, 
To  reciprocate  the  civility,  the  Conqueror  of  the 
Creeks,  invited  the  Commander  to  dine  with  him 
at  his  marquee  the  next  day.    The  simple  diet 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  14J1 

that  had  sustained  hini  and  his  gallant  associates 
for  months,  was  the  bill  of  fare.  It  called  to  mind 
gloomy  and  proud  recollections — the  dish  of  rice, 
and  draught  of  whiskey,  had  supported  them  in 
times  of  peril — they  were  now  enjoyed  in  safety. 

Never,  since  the  discovery  of  America,  did  an 
American  officer  leave  the  command  of  an  army,  to 
his  superior  offictr,  under  circumstances  more  aus- 
picious, than  did  Maj.  Gen.  Jackson,  of  Tennessee 
Volunteers,  to  Maj.  Gen.  Pinckney,  of  the  U.  S. 
array.  He  assumed  the  command  of  the  troops, 
only  to  disband  them.  Their  work  was  done,  and 
well  done.  Gen.  Jackson,  for  a  number  of  weeks 
previous,  had  moved  with  his  army,  with  the  ce- 
lerity of  lightning,  and  like  that,  had  prostrated 
every  thing  that  opposed  them.  He  might  have 
said  with  Caesar,  "  Venii  vidi,  vicV^ — I  came — I 
saw — I  conquered  ! 

The  panic-struck  savages,  who  had  been  led  by 
the  wild  incantations  of  their  prophets,  and  the 
more  guilty  encouragement  of  foreign  emissaries, 
to  spread  devastation,  havoc,  carnage,  and  death, 
among  the  unoffending  American  settlers,  humbly 
prostrated  themselves  before  their  conquerors,  and 
begged  for  that  sparing  mercy  which  it  had  been 
enjoined  upon  them  never  to  extend. 

Fearing  to  raise  a  hand  against  a  white  man,  these 
infatuated  daemons  of  the  forest  preyed  upon  each 
other  ;  and  seemed  to  delight  in  bearing  and  inflict- 


14^  MEMOIRS   OF 

ing  tortures.  The  Creeks  massacred  every  one  of 
their  tribe  who  were  known  to  have  attacked  Fort 
Mimms. 

Upon  the  21sl,  the  next  day  after  Gen.  Pinckney 
assumed  the  command,  he  ordered  the  Tennessee 
troops  to  be  marched  home,  and  discharged  ;  retain- 
ing, however,  sufficient  to  garrison  the  established 
posts.  Gen.  Jackson  immediately  took  measures  to 
comply  with  the  order. 

The  following  is  Gen.  Jackson's  last  communica- 
tion, as  an  officer  in  the  military  forces  of  Tennessee. 

Fort  Williams,  April  25fh,  at  night. 
Sir, — Gen.  Pinckney  joined  me  at  Fort  Jackson 
on  the  20th.  The  enemy  continuing  to  come  in 
from  every  quarter,  and  it  being  now  evident  that 
the  war  was  over,  I  received  an  order  at  3  o'clock. 
P.  M.  on  the  21st,  to  march  my  troops  hack  to  Fort 
Williams,  and  after  having  dispersed  any  bodies  of 
the  enemy  who  may  have  assembled  on  the  Cahajv- 
ba,  or  within  striking  distance,  and  provided  for 
the  maintenance  of  posts  between  Tennessee  and 
Fort  Jackson,  to  discharge  the  remainder.  Within 
two  hours  after  receiving  this  order,  I  was  on  the 
line  of  march ;  and  reached  this  place  last  evening, 
a  distance  of  about  sizty  miles. 

To  Brig.  Gen.  Doherty  I  shall  assign  the  duty  of 
keeping  up  the  posts,  which  form  the  line  of  com'* 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  14S 

munication  between  Tennessee  and  the  confluence 
of  the  Coosa  and  Tallapoosa,  making  the  necessary 
arrangements  to  enable  him  to  do  so.  About  400 
of  the  E.  Tennessee  militia  will  be  left  at  this  place, 
250  at  Fort  Strother,  and  75  at  Fort  Armstrong 
and  New  Deposit.  Old  Deposit  will  be  maintained 
by  Capt.  Hammond's  company  of  rangers. 

To-morrow  I  detail  500  of  the  militia  under  the 
command  of  Brig.  Gen.  Johnson,  to  the  Cahawba, 
with  instructions  to  unite  with  me  at  Fort  Deposit, 
after  having  dispersed  any  bodies  of  the  enemy  they 
may  find  there  assembled. 

The  commissioners  who  have  been  appointed  to 
make  a  treaty  with  the  Creeks,  need  have  nothing 
to  do  but  assign  them  their  proper  limits.  Those 
of  the  friendly  party,  who  have  associated  with  me, 
will  be  easily  satisfied  ;  and  those  of  the  hostile  par- 
ty, they  consider  it  a  favour  that  their  lives  have 
been  spared  them,  and  will  look  upon  any  space 
that  may  be  allowed  them  for  their  future  settle^ 
meut,  as  a  bounteous  donation.  I  have  taken  the 
liberty  to  point  out  what  I  think  ought  to  be  the 
future  line  of  separation,  with  which  I  will  hereaf- 
ter make  you  acquainted.  If  they  should  be  estab- 
lished, none  of  the  Creeks  will  be  left  on  the  west  of 
the  Coosa. 

Accompanying  this,  I  send  you  a  report  made  by 
the  Adjutant-General,  of  the  killed  and  wounded  at 


144  MEMOIRS    Of 

the  battle  of  Tohopeka,  which  was  omitted  to  be 
sent  by  the  former  express. 

I  have  tlie  honour  to  he,  Sec. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 
His  Excellence/  Gov,  IF.  Blount. 

At  the  expiration  of  a  few  days  he  commenced  a 
return  march  to  his  home,  after  an  absence  of  eight 
months.  If  the  sense  of  obligation  bears  any  pro- 
portion to  the  benefits  received,  it  may  well  be  con- 
cluded that  the  people  of  Tennessee  and  Mississippi, 
must  have  been  deeply  impressed  with  the  obliga- 
tions of  gratitude  to  Gen.  Jackson  and  his  gallant 
volunteers.  For  tvventy  years,  the  frontier  settlers 
had  lived  in  a  state  of  insecurity ;  and  since  the 
commencement  of  the  second  war  between  the 
American  Republic  and  the  kingdom  of  Great-Brit- 
ain, in  the  most  alarming  apprehensions. 

Their  danger  was  now  removed,  and  their  safety 
was  secured.  The  spontaneous  bursts  of  admira- 
tion and  applause  that  were  every  where  uttered, 
was  more  grateful  to  the  feelings  of  Gen.  Jackson, 
than  all  the  studied  encomiums  that  could  be  be- 
stowed. 

Upon  reaching  Camp  Blount,  at  Fayetteville, 
(Tenn.)  the  bond  of  union,  which  had  been  cement- 
ed by  common  danger  and  common  toils,  between 
the  general  and  the  volunteers,  was  dissolved.  Hav- 
ing learned  and  discharged  the  duty  of  veteran  sol- 


i-NDREW   JACKSON.  145 

diers,  they  now  reverted  back  to  industrious  aYz- 
zens  ;  ready,  at  no  distant  period,  to  follow  their 
beloved  chief,  to  conquer  a  civilized,  as  they  al- 
ready had  done,  a  barbarous  foe.  While  tears  of 
pungent  grief  were  shed  at  the  recollection  of  their 
brave  associates,  who  were  left  to  nionldt^r  in  the 
graves  of  the  wi'derness,  those  of  exquisite  joy  flow- 
ed at  the  safety  of  their  fathers,  and  the  security  of 
their  homes. 

Gen.  Jackson  having  very  ranch  exceeded  the 
time  for  which  he  volunteered  his  service^  and  hav- 
ing accomplished  vasUy  more  than  the  most  san- 
guine expectations  could  have  anticipated,  was 
about  to  retire  to  the  repose  of  private  life,  which 
his  debilitated  state  of  health  imperiously  demand- 
ed. But  the  portentous  clouds  of  war,  which  were 
constantly  augmenting  upon  the  southern  borders 
of  the  Republic,  rendered  his  services,  if  possible, 
more  necessary  than  they  had  already  been,  \bout 
the  1st  June,  1814*,  he  was  appointed  Brigadier- 
General  in  the  army  of  the  United  States. 

Before  he  was  called  upon  to  commence  his  mili- 
tary career  in  his  new  capacity,  he  was  appointed 
a  commissioner,  to  secure  by  negociation  what  he 
had  already  acquired  by  arras. 

To   raake  a  treaty,  however,  with  Indians,  can 

hardly  be  called   negociation,   as   it   is  considered 

among  civilized  po^^ers.     The  law  of  nations,  which 

requires  *'  good  faith"  between  the  contracting  par= 

N 


14(5  BIEMOTRS   OF 

ties,  is  a  code  not  recognized  by  American  sata- 
ges.  It  is  rather  a  contract  of  bargain  and  sale, 
with  a  penalty  annexed  for  a  breach  of  covenant. 
Col.  Hawkins,  who  was  appointed  Indian  Agent  by 
Gen.  Washington,  and  who  has  been  in  the  agency 
ever  since,  was  associated  with  Gen.  Jackson  in 
this  mission. 

By  the  American  forces,  a  complete  conquest  had 
been  made  of  the  whole  Creek  country  ;  and  this 
conquest  had  been  occasioned  by  flagrant  breaches 
of  treaty,  and  outrageous  violations  of  humanity 
by  the  Creeks.  Had  the  American  government 
felt  the  cupidity,  or  exercised  the  power  which  the 
larger  kingdoms  of  Europe  manifest  towards  the 
smaller  ones,  the  Creeks  must  either  have  fled  from 
their  country,  or  been  reduced  to  vassalage,  and 
their  country  itself  would  have  been  annexed  to 
the  Republic.  But  its  existence  commenced  upon 
the  broad  principles  of  national  and  individual  jus- 
tice,  and  in  the  progress  of  its  government,  it  has 
never  deviated  from  them. 

The  object  of  Gen.  Jackson  and  the  other  com- 
missioners, was  not  so  much  to  obtain  new  territo- 
ry, as  to  secure  the  acknowledged  territory  of  the 
Republic,  from  the  future  depredations  of  Indian 
hostility.  Upon  the  10th  August,  1814,  a  treaty 
was  executed,  which  is  before  the  public.  It  cut 
oQ"  the  savages  from  all  communication  with  the 
perpetual  disturbers  of  our  tranquillity,  and  secur- 


ANDREW    JACKSON. 


w 


td  to  the  goverDiiient  such  privileges  in  their  coun» 
try,  as  wiil  hereafter  place  the  frontiers  out  of  dan- 
ger from  the  Creeks, 

It  will  be  seen  in  the  sequel  what  measures  were 
adopted  by  the  government  and  Gen.  Jackson  to 
secure  our  country  against  other  powerful  tribes, 
who  were  incited  by  our  arch  and  implacable  ene- 
mies, to  raise  the  tomahawk  against  our  country- 
men, as  they  had  already  induced  the  unfortunate 
Creeks  to  do. 

Having  often  been  obliged,  from  the  nature  of 
the  subject,  to  allude  to  the  unjustifiable  and  rep- 
rehensible conduct  of  British  and  Spanish  emissa- 
ries, I  am  confident  the  reader  will  be  gratified, 
in  seeing  the  evidence  furnished  by  the  savages 
themselves.  In  presenting  this  evidence,  I  furnish 
at  the  same  time  specimens  of  Indian  eloquence, 
which  have  never  been  equalled,  unless  by  the 
speech  of  Logan,  as  found  in  Jefferson's  Notes  on 
Virginia.  The  first  I  offer,  is  the  speech  of  the 
ferocious  Ifither/ord,  previously  mentioned.  His 
surrender  to  Gen.  Jackson,  reminds  the  historian  of 
Coriolanus  and  dufidius — of  Tkemistocles  and  a  Per- 
sian  king.  Magnanimity  in  each  overcame  ven- 
geance. 

WITHERFORd's    speech    to    general   JACKSON. 

"  I  am  in  your  power— do  with  me  as  you  please. 
I  am  a  soldier.     I  have  done  the  white  people  all 


148  MEMOIRS    Of 

the  harm  I  could  ;  I  have  fought  them,  and  fought 
them  bravely  :  If  I  had  an  army,  I  would  yet  fight, 
and  contend  to  the  last ;  but  I  have  none;  my  peo- 
ple are  all  gone.  I  can  now  do  no  more  than  u  eep 
over  the  misfortunes  of  my  nation.  Once  I  could 
animate  my  warriors  fo  battle  ;  but  I  cannot  ani- 
mate the  dead.  My  warriors  can  no  longer  hear 
my  voice :  their  bones  are  at  Talladega,  Tallus- 
hatches,  Emuckfau,  and  Tohopeka.  I  have  not  sur- 
rendered myself  thoughtlessly.  Whilst  there  were 
chances  of  success,  I  never  left  ray  post,  nor  sup- 
plicated peace.  But  my  people  are  gone,  and  I 
now  ask  it  for  my  nation  and  for  mybelf.  On  the 
miseries  and  misfortunes  brought  upon  my  country, 
I  look  back  with  deepest  sorrow,  and  wish  to  avert 
still  greater  calamities.  If  I  had  been  left  to  con- 
tend with  the  Georgia  army,  I  would  have  raised 
my  corn  on  one  bank  of  the  river,  and  fought  them 
on  the  other;  but  your  people  have  destroyed  my 
nation.  You  are  a  brave  man— I  rely  upon  your 
generosity.  You  will  exact  no  terms  of  a  conquered 
people,  but  such  as  they  should  accede  to  ;  whatev- 
er they  may  be,  it  would  now  be  madness  and  folly 
to  oppose.  If  they  are  opposed,  you  shall  find  me 
amongst  the  sternest  enforcers  of  obedience.  Those 
who  would  still  hold  out,  can  be  influenced  only  by 
a  mean  spirit  of  revenge;  and  to  this  they  must  not, 
and  shall  not  sa,crifice  the  last  remnant  of  their  coun- 
try.    You  have  told  us  where  we  might  go,  and  be 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  149 

safe.     This  is  a  good  talk,  and  my  nation,  ought  to 
listen  to  it.     They  shall  listen  to  it." 

The  second  evidence,  is  the  speech  of"  The  Big 
Warrior^''  before  Gen.  Jackson,  Col.  Hawkins,  &c. 
It  is  with  all  the  pleasure  of  delight,  that  I  incor- 
porate this  eloquent  appeal  to  the  magnanimity  of 
our  government,  into  this  work.  While  it  eulogi- 
zes the  raeniory  of  our  immortal  political  saviour 
George  Washington,  it  also  places  Mr.  Madison, 
in  the  most  exalted  station — the  protector  of  the 
weak.  It  also  repels  the  many  insinuations  which 
have  been  made  against  the  long  tried  and  faithful 
Indian  agent,  Col.  Hawkins.  It  is  but  an  ill  requi- 
tal for  the  long  seclusion  in  which  the  Agent  has  liv- 
ed ;  and  the  pacific  and  salutary  policy  which  he 
has  pursued  in  the  Creek  agency,  to  have  it  hinted, 
"  that  his  ageneij  had  lasted  too  long  to  hope  that  he 
would  steadily  pursue  that  course  which  the  safety  and 
interest  of  the  country  required?^  But  such  is  the 
fate  of  public  functionaries  in  our  Republic.  James 
Monroe,  and  Andrew  Jackson^  than  whom,  more 
devoted  patriots  were  never  enrolled  upon  the  re- 
cords of  worth,  have  shared  in  public  obloquy,  as 
well  as  in  public  applause.  Even  this  is  not  with- 
out its  benefits.  Jealousy  is  the  shield  of  freedom? 
and  results  from  the  solicitude  Americans  feel  fcHr 
their  sacred  rights  and  liberties.     These  censures 


150  jjEMOiRs  or 

serve  the  same  purpose  in  our  Republic,  as  the  dust 
that  wcis,  by  order,  cast  by  lictors  upon  the  heads 
of  the  returning  conquerors  of  the  Roman  Repub- 
lic, when  they  were  passing  under  triumphal  arches. 

BIG    warrior's    speech    TO    TUE    AMERICAN 
COUMISSIONERS. 

**  The  President,  our  father,  advises  us  to  hon- 
esty and  fairness,  and  promises  that  justice  shall  be 
done;  I  hope  and  trust  it  will  be!  I  made  this 
war,  which  has  proved  so  fatal  to  my  country,  that 
the  treaty  entered  into  a  long  time  ago,  with  father 
Washington,  might  not  be  broken.  To  his  friend- 
Jy  arm  T  hold  fast.  I  will  never  break  that  chain 
of  friendship  we  made  together,  and  which  bound 
us  to  stand  to  the  United  States.  He  was  a  fathei 
to  the  Muscoga  people;  anfl  not  only  to  them,  but 
to  all  the  people  beneath  the  sun.  His  talk  I  now 
hold  in  my  hand.  There  sits  the  agent=*  he  sent 
among  us.  Never  has  he  broken  the  treaty.  He 
has  lived  with  us  a  long  time.  He  has  seen  our 
•hildren  born,  who  now  have  children.  By  his 
direction,  cloth  was  wove,  and  clothes  were  made, 
and  spread  through  our  country ;  but  the  Red 
Sticks  came  an<l  destroyed  all — we  have  none  now. 
Hard  is  our  situation,  and  you  ought  to  consider  it. 
I  state  what  all  the  nation  knows;  nothing  will  I 
Ikeep  secret. 

•  €ol.  Hawkins, 


ANDREW  JACKSON,  l5l 

There  is  the  Little  Warrior,  whom  Col.  Haw- 
kins knows.  While  we  were  giving  satisfaction  for 
the  murders  that  had  been  committed,  he  proved  a 
ini?=chief-maker ;  he  went  to  the  British  on  the 
lakes  ;  he  came  back,  and  brought  a  package  to  the 
frontiers,  which  increased  the  murders  here.  This 
conduct  has  already  made  the  war  party  to  sulfer 
greatly  :  but,  although  almost  destroyed,  they  will 
not  yet  open  their  eyes,  but  are  still  led  away  by 
the  British  at  Pensacola.  Not  so  with  iis ;  we 
were  rational,  and  had  our  senses — we  yet  are  so. 
In  the  war  of  the  revolution,  our  father  beyond  the 
waters,  encouraged  us  to  join  him,  and  we  did  so. 
We  had  no  sense  then.  The  promises  he  made 
were  never  kept.  We  were  young  and  foolish,  and 
fought  with  him.  The  British  can  no  more  per- 
suade us  to  do  wrong:  they  have  deceived  us  once, 
and  can  deceive  us  no  more.  You  are  two  great 
people.  If  you  go  to  war,  we  will  have  no  concern 
in  ^  ;  for  we  are  not  able  to  fight.  We  wish  to 
be  at  peace  with  every  nation.  If  they  oiTer  me 
arms,  I  will  say  to  them,  You  put  me  in  danger,  to 
war  against  a  people  born  in  our  own  land.  They 
shall  never  force  us  into  danger.  You  shall  never 
see  that  our  chiefs  are  boys  in  council,  who  will  be 
forced  to  do  any  thing.  I  talk  thu.'^,  knowing  that 
father  Washington  advised  us  never  to  interfere  in 
wars.    He  told  us  that  thoae  in  peace  were  the  hap- 


162  MEMOIRS  OF 

piest  people.  He  told  us  that  if  the  enemy  attack- 
ed him,  he  had  warriors  enough,  and  did  not  wish 
his  red  children  to  help  him.  If  the  British  advise 
us  to  any  thing,  I  will  tell  you — not  hide  it  from 
you— If  they  say  we  must  fight,  I  will  tell  them, 
No!" 

I  now  present  the  reader  with  a  speech  of  one  of 
the  greatest  warriors  of  any  age,  of  any  nation,  or 
of  any  colour— Tecpmseh.  It  was  this  Sachem  and 
Prophet,  who  had  been  educated  at  an  English  sem- 
inary in  Canada^  who  first  infused  into  the  Creeks 
the  murderous  principles  he  had  learned  from  Eng- 
lish Christians.  He  returned  to  his  own  tribe,  and 
prepared  them  for  the  crusade  they  were  to  make 
with  their  English  *  fathers'  against  Americans.  In- 
fatuated chief!  !  thy  blood  calls  aloud  from  the 
ground  for  revenge  against  thy  perfidious  mislead- 
ers.  The  cowardice  of  Proctor  was  as  base  as  his 
perfidy.  The  simple  eloquence  of  this  child  of  the 
forest,  is  the  bitterest  satire,  and  the  most  vindic- 
tive judgment  against  the  British  nation.  The  In- 
dians of  the  East,  as  w;^ll  as  of  the  West,  form  a 
"paramount  inquest,"  whose  sentence  will  reverse 
the  judgment  of  the  House  of  Lords  in  favour  of 
Lord  Hastings^  and  raise  indignation  at  the  eulogies 
bestowed  upon  Sir  George  Frevost, 


ANDREW   JACKSON. 


15a 


SPEECH  OF  TECUMSEH,  IN  THE  NAME  OF  THE  INDIAN 
CHIEFS  AND  WARRIORS,  TO  MAJ.  GEN.  PROCTOR, 
AS  THE  REPRESENTATIVE  OF  THEIR  GREAT  FATHER, 
THE    KING. 

»' Father— listen  to  your  children!  You  have 
thera  now  all  before  you.  The  war  before*  this,  our 
British  father  gave  the  hatchet  to  his  red  children, 
when  our  old  chiefs  were  alive.  They  are  now  dead. 
In  that  war  our  father  was  thrown  on  his  back  by 
the  Americans,  and  our  father  took  thera  by  the 
hand  without  our  knowledge  ;t  and  we  are  afraid 
that  our  father  will  do  so  again  at  this  time.  Sum- 
mer before  last,  when  I  came  forward  with  my  red 
brethren,  and  was  ready  to  take  up  the  hatchet  in 
favour  of  our  British  father,  we  were  told  not  to  be 
in  a  hurry — that  he  had  not  >et  determined  to  fight 
the  Americans. 

Listen! — When  war  was  declared,  our  father 
stood  up  and  gave  us  the  tomahawk,  and  told  us 
that  he  was  now  ready  to  strike  the  Americins; 
that  he  wanted  our  assistance ;  and  that  he  certainly 
would  get  us  our  lands  back,  which  the  Americans 
had  taken  from  us. 

Listen! ^Yow  told  us  at  that  time,  to  bring  for- 
ward our  families  to  this  place,  and  we  did  so ;  and 
you  promised  to  take  care  of  them,  and  that  they 

*  The  revolutionary  war, 

t  The  British  made  peace  without  any  stipulation  for  their  «»'*='- 
allies. 


I54l  MEMOIRS   OF 

should  want  for  nothing,  while  the  men  would  go 
and  fight  the  enemy  ;  that  we  need  not  trouble  our- 
selves about  the  enemy's  garrisons;  that  we  knew 
nothing  about  them ;  and  that  our  father  would  at- 
tend to  that  part  of  the  business.  You  also  told 
your  red  children,  that  you  would  take  good  care  of 
your  garrison  here,  which  made  our  hearts  glad. 

Listen! — When  we  were  last  at  the  rapids,  it  is 
true  we  gave  you  little  assistance.  It  is  hard  to 
fight  people  who  live  like  ground  hogs.* 

Listen  Father! — Our  fleet  has  gone  out — we  know 
they  have  fought — we  have  heard  the  great  guns, 
but  know  nothing  of  what  has  happened  to  our  fa- 
ther with  one  arm.f  Our  ships  have  gone  one  way, 
and  we  are  very  much  astonished,  to  see  our  father 
tying  up  every  thing  and  preparing  to  run  away  the 
other,  without  letting  his  red  children  know  what 
his  intentions  are.  You  always  told  us  to  remain 
here  and  take  care  of  our  lands — it  made  our  hearts 
glad  to  hear  that  was  your  wish.  Our  great  father, 
the  King,  is  the  head,  and  you  represent  him.  You 
always  told  us  you  would  never  draw  your  foot  off 
British  ground ;  but  now,  father,  we  ste  you  are 
drawing  back,  and  we  are  sorry  to  see  our  father 
doing  so,  without  seeing  the  enemy.  We  must 
compare  our  father's  conduct  to  a  fat  animal  that 

*  During  the  siege  of  Fort  Meigs,  the  troops  covered  themselves 
from  the  eoeiij's  fire,  by  throwiog  up  traverses  and  ditches  ^f  earth. 
-  '"^mmodof^  Barclay. 


AITDREW   JACKSON.  155 

carries  its  tail  upon  its  back,  but  when  affrighted  it 
drops  it  between  its  legs,  and  runs  off. 

Listen  bather ! — The  Americans  have  not  yet 
defeated  us  by  land  ;  neither  are  we  sure  that  they 
have  done  so  by  water :  we  therefore  wish  to  remain 
here  and  fight  our  enemu^  should  theij  make  their 
appearance.  It*  they  defeat  us,  we  will  then  retreat 
with  our  father. 

At  the  battle  of  the  Rapids,  last  war,  the  Ameri- 
cans certainly  defeated  us;  and  when  we  retreated 
to  our  father's*  fort  at  that  place,  the  gates  were 
shut  against  us.  We  were  afraid  that  it  would  now^ 
be  the  cas^ ,  but  instead  of  that,  we  see  our  British 
father  preparing  to  march  out  of  his  garrison. 

Fath<rl — You  have  got  the  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion svhich  the  great  father  sent  for  his  red  chil- 
dren. If  you  have  any  idea  of  going  away,  give 
them  to  us,  and  you  may  go,  and  welcome,  for  us. 
Our  lives  are  in  the  hands  of  the  Great  Spirit — we 
are  determined  to  defend  our  lands,  and  if  it  is  his 
will,  we  wish  to  leave  our  bones  upon  them." 

Amherstburgh,  ISth  Sept.  1813. 

I  present  the  reader  with  Maj.  Thomas  Rowland^s 
(of  the  27th  U.  S.  infantry,)  account  of  the  death 
of  this  great  chief— '**  Tecumseh  is  certainly  killed 
— I  saw  him  with  ray  own  eyes — it  was  the  first 
time  I  had  seen  this  celebrated  chief.     There  was 

*  Fort  Miami,  Bear  Wayne's  battle  gi'oaad. 


lo6  MEMOIRS    OF 

something  SO  majestic,  so  dignified,  and  yet  go  mild 
in  his  countenance,  as  he  lay  stretched  on  his  back, 
on  the  ground  where  a  few  minutes  before  he  had 
rallied  his  men  to  the  fight,  that  while  gazini;  op 
him  with  aci miration  and  pity,  I  forgot  be  was  a 
savage.  He  had  received  a  wound  in  the  arm,  and 
had  it  bound  up  before  he  received  the  mortal 
wound.  He  had  such  a  countenance  as  I  shall  nev» 
er  forget.'' 

Mdpr  Rowland  might  have  exclaimed,  over  the 
corjse  of  Tecumseh,  as  Henri/  V.  did  over  that  of 
Ferci/-^ 

*'  Lif  there  gieat  heart — the  earth  that  beais  thee  dead, 
<•  Bears  Dot  alive  so  stout.    ••••••" 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  iSj 


CHAPTER  XL 

Sl^aaish  aggressions  and  perfidy — Gen.  Jackson's  measorea  to  detect 
Manrequez,  the  Governor  of  Florida — his  letter  to  him — Danget 
of  the  7th  Military  district — Gen.  Jackson's  appeal  to  the  govern- 
ment— Mr.  Mouroe's  measures  of  defence — Attack  upon  Fort  Bow- 
yer— gallant  defence  of  Major  Lawrence — his  official  report  of  iU 

The  writer  has  attempted  to  shew  the  reader,  the 
prominent  features  of  Gen.  Jackson's  life,  from  his 
birth  to  the  conclusion  of  the  Creek  war.  It  is  but 
a  miniature,  and  if  the  figure  is  not  finely  touched, 
the  delineations  are  confidently  pronounced  correct* 
To  crowd  a  biographical  sketch  with  minute  de- 
tails of  events,  in  which  the  subject  of  it  has  acted 
a  conspicuous  part,  may  swell  a  volume  with  a  wil- 
derness of"  words,  words,  words,  "*  and  hide  the  he- 
ro of  it,  in  the  rubbish  that  entangles  him.  I  cer- 
tainly have  a  wish,  (it  may  be  an  unavailing  one,) 
to  keep  Andrew  Jackson  in  sight,  through  this 
little  volume;  and  although  the  deeply  interesting 
scenes,  in  which  he  was  the  principal  actor,  must 
necessarily  be  adverted  to,  it  is  hoped  the  attention 
of  the  reader  will  not  be  diverted  from  the  subject 
of  these  memoirs,  by  blending  with  his  life,  ihosc 
descriptions  which    more   properly  belona:  to  the 

voluminous  historian,  than  to  the  brief  biographer. 
O 


158  MEMOIRS    OiF 

Gen.  Jackson,  having  ronquered  the  most  warlike 
tribe  oi  savages  within,  and  perhaps  \\ithout  the 
Republic,  by  the  sword,  and  having  secured  to  his 
government  the  I)enefit  of  the  conquest  by  treaty, 
he  was  led,  not  into  regular  negociation,  but  into 
singular  intercourse  with  a  power  that  calls  itself 
civilized! 

It  is  pain/ul  to  see  a  nation,  which  once  held  an 
elevated  rank  among  European  powers,  sunk  to  the 
lowest  state  of  degradation.  Spain,  in  the  reign  of 
Philip,  menaced  by  its  armada,  the  same  British 
power,  which  has  recently  dragged  its  imbecile, 
but  tyrannical  monarch  from  the  humblest  exile, 
and  placed  him  upon  the  Spanish  throne.  Strug- 
gling to  regain  the  power  of  his  predecessors,  and 
trembling  under  the  rod  of  his  imperious  mistress, 
he  lends  all  his  little  aid  in  Europe  and  America,  to 
subserve  the  interest  of  the  British  government. 
Knowing  that  the  "  holy  alliance"  entered  into  in 
1814,  by  the  **  Allied  Sovereigns,"  guarantees  to 
each  other  their  ancient  colonies,  Ferdinand  VII. 
covertly  gave  every  aid  and  facility  to  the  British 
forces,  in  their  last  war  against  the  American  Repub- 
lic, once  British  colonies.  This,  Gen.  Jackson  full 
well  knew  during  the  prosecution,  and  at  the  close 
of  the  Creek  war.  He  knew  that  the  governor  of 
the  Spanish  province  of  Florida,  although  Spain 
was  in  a  state  of  professed  neutrality,  either  through 
fear  of  Britain,  or  hatred  to  America,  had  given 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  159 

every  assistance  to  the  Indians  in  their  sanguinary 
war  against  our  frontiers. 

The  peace  he  had  conquered  from  the  Creeks,  he 
was  aware  would  not  be  a  permanent  one,  nor  the 
treaty  he  had  made  regarded,  so  long  as  their  hos- 
tile chiefs  and  warriors  were  fostered,  protected, 
and  encouraged  to  further  hostilities,  by  the  gover- 
nor of  Florida,  acting  under  his  "  adored  master," 
Ferdinand  VII.  He  was  determined,  if  possible, 
to  secure  to  his  country  the  benefit  of  the  victories 
which  he  had  acquired,  by  the  loss  of  some  of  his 
valiant  countrymen,  and  by  the  death  of  hundreds 
of  Creeks,  who  fell  victims  to  religious  fanaticism, 
and  British  and  Spanish  machinations. 

Gen.  Jackson  is  too  cautious  as  a  statesman,  and 
too  generous  as  a  soldier,  to  trust  to  vague  reports, 
and  unsupported  assertions,  as  grounds  of  important 
measures.  While  making  a  treaty  with  the  Creeks, 
he  dispatched  some  of  his  confidential  officers  to 
Ptnsacola^  to  observe  the  course  pursued  by  Gonza- 
lez Manrequezy  the  Spanish  governor.  From  the 
Creeks  also,  he  was  receiving  almost  daily  informa- 
tion of  the  perfidious  conduct  of  this  obsequious 
minister  of  the  faithless  F«-rdinand, 

Upon  the  return  of  his  officers,  that  which  was 
before  believed  upon  the  strongest  presumptive 
evidence,  was  now  reduced  to  absolute  certainty. 

Gen.  Jackson,  at  this  time,  (Sept.  1814;)  had 
received  no  instructions  from  the  War  Department, 


160  MEMOIRS   OF 

relative  to  the  course  to  be  pursued  with  the  Span- 
ish authorities  in  Florida.  He  sent  a  direct  mes- 
sage to  Gov.  Manrequez,  requesting  him  to  point 
out  the  course  he  was  about  to  pursue.  The  cor- 
respondence that  followed  between  him  and  Geru 
Jackson,  has  long  been  before  the  public,  and  is  too 
lengthy  to  be  here  inserted.  The  governor  was 
less  equivocal,  and  more  explicit  than  he  had  pre- 
viously  been.  He  began  to  feel  a  strong  assurance 
that  the  British  government,  which  had  restored 
his  master  to  the  throne,  would  support  him  in  all 
Lis  measures  against  the  Republic.  He  knew  that 
the  legitimate  sovereigns  of  Europe  were  safely  en- 
throned, and  that  pride,  as  well  as  interest,  would 
induce  them  to  secure  to  Ferdinand  VII.  his  South 
American  colonies,  and  to  endeavour  to  regain  for 
George  111.  the  colonies  he  had  lost  in  North.  His 
language  was  confident,  not  to  say  imperious.  He 
repelled  the  charges  against  him^  by  criminating 
the  American  government.  The  correspondence 
was  closed  by  the  following  letter  to  him  from  Gtx\. 
Jackson. 

"  Were  I  clothed,  (says  the  general,)  with  diplo- 
matic powers,  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  the 
topics  embraced  in  the  wide  range  of  injuries  of 
which  you  complain,  and  which  have  long  since  heen 
adjusted,  1  could  easily  demonstrate  that  the  United 
■States  have  been  always  faithful  to  their  treaties : 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  161 

steadfast  in  their  friendships;  nor  have  ever  claim- 
ed any  thing  that  was  not  warranted  by  justice. 
They  have  endured  many  insults  from  the  govern- 
ors and  other  officers  of  Spain,  which  if  sanctioned 
by  their  sovereign,  amounted  to  acts  of  war,  with- 
out any  previous  declaration  on  the  subject.  They 
have  excited  the  savages  to  war,  and  afiorded  them 
the  means  of  waging  it.  The  property  of  our 
citizens  has  been  captured  at  sea.  and  if  compen- 
sation has  not  been  refused,  it  has  at  least  been 
withheld.  But  as  no  such  powers  have  been  dele- 
gated to  me,  I 'shall  not  assume  them,  but  leave 
them  to  the  representatives  of  our  respective  gov- 
ernments, 

I  have  the  honour  of  being  entrusted  with  the 
command  of  this  district.  Charged  v?tth  its  pro- 
tection, and  the  safety  of  its  citizens,  I  feel  my 
ability  to  discharge  the  task,  and  trust  your  excel- 
lency will  always  find  me  ready  and  willing  to  go 
forward  in  the  performance  of  that  duty,  whenever 
circumstances  shall  render  it  necessary.  I  agree 
with  you,  perfectly,  that  candour  and  polite  lan- 
guage should,  at  all  times,  characterize  the  com- 
munications between  the  officers  of  friendly  sove- 
reignties; and  I  assert,  without  the  fear  of  con* 
tradiction,  that  my  former  letters  were  couched  in 
terms  the  most  respectful  and  unexceptionable.  I 
only  requested,  and  did  not  demand,  as  you  assert' 

tdj  the  ringleaders  of  the  Creek  confederacy,  whe 
02 


162  MEMOIRS   OS 

had  taken  refuge  in  your  tovvn,  and  who  had  viola 
led  a-l  inut;,  nioial,  civil,  antl  divine.  This  1  had  a 
riglit  to  do,  from  the  treaty  which  I  sent  you,  and 
\vhicl»  I  now  again  enclose,  with  a  request  that  you 
will  change  your  translation ;  believing,  as  I  do, 
that  your  former  one  was  wrong,  and  has  deceived 
you. 

What  kind  of  an  answer  you  returned,  a  reference 
to  your  letter  will  explain.  The  whole  of  it  breath- 
ed nothing  but  hostility,  grounded  upon  assumed 
facts,  and  fal^e  charges,  and  entirely  evading  the 
inquiries  that  had  been  made. 

I  can  but  express  my  astonishment  at  your  pro- 
test against  the  cession  on  the  Alabama,  lying  within 
the  acknowledged  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States, 
and  which  has  been  ratified,  in  due  form,^  by  the 
principal  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  nation.  But 
my  astonishment  subsides,  when,  on  comparing  it, 
I  find  it  upon  a  par  with  tlie  rest  of  your  letter  and 
conduct;  taken  together,  they  afford  a  sufficient 
justification  for  any  consequences  that  may  ensue. 
My  government  will  protect  every  inch  of  her  ter- 
ritory, her  citizens,  and  her  property,  from  insult 
and  depredation,  regardless  of  the  political  revolu- 
tions of  Europe:  and  although  she  has  been  at  all 
times  sedulous  to  preserve  a  good  understanding 
with  all  the  world,  yet  she  has  sacred  rights,  that 
f.annot  be  trampled  upon  with  impunity.  Spain 
iad  belter  look  to  her  own  intestine  comniotionF-, 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  16S 

before  she  walks  fortii  in  that  majesty  of  strength 
and  power,  which  you  threaten  to  draw  down  upon 
the  United  Slates.  Your  excellency  has  been  can- 
did enough  to  admit  your  having  supplied  the  In- 
dians with  arms.  In  addition  to  this,  I  have  learn- 
ed that  a  British  flag  has  been  seen  flying  on  one  of 
your  forts.  AH  this  is  done  whilst  you  are  pretend- 
ing to  be  neutral. 

You  cannot  be  surprised,  then,  but  on  the  contra* 
ry  will  provide  a  fort  in  your  town,  for  my  soldiers 
and  Indians,  should  I  take  it  in  my  head  to  pay  you 
a  visit. 

In  future,  I  beg  you  to  withhold  your  insulting 
charges  against  my  government,  for. one  more  incli- 
ned to  listen  to  slander  than  I  am  ;  nor  consider 
me  any  more  as  a  diplomatic  character,  unless  so 
proclaimed  to  you  from  the  mouths  of  my  cannon.'*^ 

It  is  with  the  highest  pleasure  I  incorporate  the 
foregoing  letter  into  these  memoirs ;  and  the  reader 
will  feel  an  exultation  at  know  ing,  that  we  have  not 
only  one,  but  many  generals  in  the  army  of  the  Re- 
public, who  unite  the  Statesman  and  the  Soldier* 
Although  Gen.  Jackson,  at  the  time  he  wrote  it, 
was  not  clothed  with  diplomatic  powers,  he  shews^^ 
in  a  few  paragraphs,  that  he  perfectly  umlerstands 
the  points  in  controversy  between  the  imbecile,  yet 
haughty  government  of  Spain,  and  the  American 
Eepubllc.     Had  he  been  a  negociator  ten  years  ago^ 


164  MEMOIRS    OF 

it  \souId  probably  not  non'  be  said  that  America 
has  been  thirteen  years  in  tryinu:  to  sellle  our  differ- 
ences with  vSpain,  and  that  she  may  from  thence  in- 
fer that  we  shall  continue  to  be  very  moderate,  in 
bringini^  the  controversy  to  an  amicable  adjustment. 
The  divine  dictate  that  requires  men  to  ''render 
good  for  evil''  has  not  yet  been  added  to  the  code 
of  the  Law  of  Nations ;  and  if  our  Rt^public  is  dis- 
posed to  act  upon  that  principle  with  the  allied 
sovereigns  of  Europe,  every  one  of  whom  are  anx- 
ious to  destroy  it,  we  may  as  well  surrender  our  in- 
dependence at  once,  and  revert  back  to  a  tame  and 
submissive  colonial  slate. 

Gen.  Jackson  was  now  commander  in  chief  of  the 
rth  military  district,  including  the  most  important 
part  of  the  southern  section  of  the  Union.  It  wa3 
now  altogether  the  most  endangered  part  of  it.  The 
splendid  victories  at  CMpptwa,  Bridgervatery  Fort 
iVzV?,  and  Plattsburgh,  had  allayed  all  apprehension 
from  British  armies  in  tiie  north.  The  defence  of 
New-London  and  Stonington^  New  York  and  Baltic 
moret  had  robbed  British  "naval  demonstrations** 
of  their  terrors,  upon  the  eastern  seaboard.  The 
British  admiral  and  British  generals,  were  concen- 
trating their  forces,  with  a  determination  to  wipe  off 
the  disgrace  which  had  with  justice  been  attached 
to  them — not  so  much  from  the  defeats  they  iiad 
suffered,  as  from  the  Vandalism  they  hail  displayed 
iB  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  upon  the  Niagara  fronticrj 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  165 

and  at  the  city  of  Washington.  The  utmost  confi- 
dence was  expressed  by  the  British  in  America,  of 
the  success  of  this  great  and  united  ffFort  of  the  ar- 
mies and  navies  of  Britain ;  and  a  British  commis- 
sioner  at  Ghent,  who  at  this  time  was  negociating 
a  peace  with  American  commissioners,  tauntingly 
remarked,  that  before  they  had  time  to  conclude  a 
peace,  New-Orleans  and  the  states  upon  the  Missis- 
sippi, would  be  in  possession  of  Sir  Edward  Packen* 
ham  ! 

It  is  no  more  than  candid  to  admit,  that  very  se- 
rious apprehensions  were  entertained  by  Americans 
themselves,  in  regard  to  the  safety  of  the  southern 
section  of  the  Union,  or  that  part  of  it  situated  up- 
on the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Mississippi.  A  very  great  proportion  of  the  troops 
of  the  Republic  and  of  the  munitions  of  war,  were 
in  the  northern,  eastern,  and  middle  states,  at  an  im- 
mense distance  from  New-Orleans.  The  whole  sea- 
board, from  Castine  to  that  place,  was  commanded 
by  a  superior  naval  force  of  the  enemy,  who  couldj 
by  that  command,  in  a  very  short  time,  approach 
any  "  assailable  point"  upon  the  ocean.  Sir  George 
Prevost's  army  of  14,000,  were,  in  Lower  Canada, 
burning  to  revenge  the  defeat  they  met  with  at 
Plattsburgh.  I^arge  reinforcements  were  known  to 
have  arrived  from  England  in  the  West-Indies,  un- 
der the  command  of  some  of  the  most  renowned 
generals  in  Wellington's  army,  and  every  indication 


166  MEMOIRS    OF 

evinced  the  determination  of  the  whole  land  and 
naval  forces  of  the  enemy,  upon  the  American  sta- 
tion, to  make  a  descent  near  the  mouth  of  ihe  Mis- 
sissippi. 

Many  British  officers  had  already  arrived  at  Pen- 
sacola,  about  70  miles  east  of  Mobile  Bay,  on  which 
Fort  Bowyt-r  is  situated.  Here  they  were  received 
with  great  cordiality  by  the  governor,  and  suffered 
to  embody  and  train  savages.  Gen.  Jackson,  about 
the  first  of  September,  addressed  the  War  Depart- 
ment in  the  most  pressing  terms.  In  one  of  his  let- 
ters, he  says — **How  long  will  the  United  States 
pocket  the  reproach  and  open  insults  of  Spain?  It 
is  alone  by  a  manly  and  dignified  course,  that  we 
can  secure  respect  from  other  nations,  and  peace  to 
our  own.  Temporising  policy  is  not  only  a  disgrace, 
but  a  curse  to  any  nation.  It  is  a  fact,  that  a  Brit- 
ish captain  of  marines  is,  and  lias  been,  for  some 
time,  engaged  in  drilling  and  organizing  the  fugi- 
tivt  Creeks,  under  the  eye  of  the  govf  rnor;  endea- 
vouring, by  his  influence  and  pr<'sents,  to  draw  to 
his  standard,  as  well  the  peaceable  as  the  hostile 
Indians.  If  permission  had  been  given  to  me  to 
march  against  this  place,  (Pensacola,)  twenty  days 
ago,  I  would,  ere  this,  have  planted  there  the  Amer- 
ican Eagle :  now  we  must  trust  alone  to  our  valour, 
and  the  justice  of  our  cause.  Biit  my  present  re- 
sources are  so  limited — a  sickly  climate,  as  well  as 
au  eneuiy  to  contend  with,  and  without  the  means 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  167 

of  transportation,  to  change  tne  position  of  my  ar- 
my, that,  resting  on  the  bravery  of  ray  little  pha- 
lanx, I  can  only  hopf^  for  success." 

The  Secretary  at  War,  Mr.  Monroe,  incessantly 
exerted  himself  to  second  the  measures  of  Gen.  Jack- 
son. Having  acquired  Louisiana  and  the  exclusive 
command  of  the  Mississippi  by  negociation,  he  was 
now  called  upon  to  defend  it  as  the  head  of  the  War 
Department.  As  there  was,  within  the  fth  milita- 
ry district,  but  a  very  small  amount  of  regular 
troops,  the  secretary  made  a  requisition  upon  the 
executives  of  the  states  of-,  l^ouisiana,  Mississippi, 
and  Tennessee,  to  have  their  full  quota  of  militia  in 
readiness  for  immediate  service,  at  the  command  of 
Gen.  Jackson.  Volunteers  were  again  invited  by 
Gen.  Jackson  to  resort  to  his  standard,  under  which 
they  had  always  conquered.  The  whole  civilized 
region  of  the  Mississippi,  was  **  wide  awake."  The 
unbounded  popularity  of  Gen  Jackson  induced  the 
militia  not  only  with  promptness,  but  with  anima- 
tion, to  repair  to  the  rendezvous ;  and  the  *'  Tennes- 
see Volunteers,"  under  their  gallant,  accomplished 
and  beloved  leader,  Gen.  Cofiee,  were  again  in  mo- 
tion. They  had  almost  invariably  formed  the  van 
of  Gen.  Jackson's  army ;  and  of  their  immediate 
commander,  it  may  be  said,  *'  he  dared  to  lead 
where  any  dared  to  follow." 

Gen.  Jackson,  before  the  middle  of  Septemberj 
had  established  his  head  quarters  at  Mobile,  wait- 


168  MEMOIRS    OF 

ing  the  arrival  of  the  militia  and  volunteers,  some 
of  whom  had  to  travel  more  than  450  miles.  Upon 
the  14th  he  received  a  message  from  Maj.  William 
Lawrence,  commander  of  Fort  Bowyer,  at  the 
mouth  of  Mobile  hay,  requesting  immediate  assist- 
ance in  the  defence  of  that  important  post,  as  the 
enemy  had  landed  in  the  vicinity  of  that  place, 
with  a  force  probably  ten  limes  the  amount  of  his 
own.  Maj.  Lawrence  had  but  158  men  fit  for  duty. 
He  took  immediate  measures  to  succour  this  ex- 
posed garrison ;  hut  before  reinforcements  could 
reach  that  place,  it  was  simultaneously  attacked 
upon  the  15lh,  by  the  British  and  Indian  forces,  by- 
land,  and  by  a  large  naval  force  in  the  bay.  The 
defence  of  this  place  is  described  in  the  finished 
style  of  Gen.  Jackson  and  Maj.  Lawrence. 

GEN.  JACKSON  TO  HON.  JAMES  MONROE. 

H,  ^.  7th  Military/  District, 

Mobile,  Stpt,  llth,  1814. 

Sir — With  lively  emotions  of  satisfaction,  I  com- 
municate that  success  has  crowned  the  gallant  eiforte 
of  our  brave  soldiers,  in  resisting  and  repulsing  a 
combined  British  naval  anrl  land  force;  which,  on 
the  J 5th  instant,  attacked  Fort  Bowyer,  on  the 
Point  of  Mobile. 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  the  official  report  of  Major 
William  Lawrence,  of  the  2d  infantry,  who  cora- 
raaoded.    In  addition  to  the  particulars  communi- 


ANDKEW    JACKSON.  169 

cated  in  his  letter,  I  have  learned  that  the  ship 
which  was  destroyed  was  the  Hermes,  of  from  24 
to  2S  guns,  captain,  the  Hon.  Wni.  H.  Percy,  senior 
officer  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico;  and  the  brig  so  con- 
siderably damaged,  is  the  Sophie,  18  gtnis,  Captain 
William  Lockyer ;  the  other  ship  was  the  Carron> 
of  from  24  to  28  guns,  Capt.  Spencer,  son  of  Earl 
Spencer;  the  other  brig's  name  unknown.  On  board 
of  the  Carron,  85  men  were  killed  and  wounded  ; 
among  whom  was  Col.  Nicholl,  of  the  Royal  Ma- 
rines, who  lost  an  eye  by  a  splinter.  The  land  force 
consisted  of  110  marines,  and  200  Creek  Indians, 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  Woodbine,  of  marines, 
and  about  20  artillerists,  with  one  four  and  an  half 
inch  howitzer,  from  which  they  discharged  shells 
and  nine  pound  shot.  They  re-embarked  the  piece, 
and  retreated  by  land  towards  Pensacola,  whence 
they  came. 

By  the  morning  report  of  the  16th,  there  were 
present  in  the  fort,  fit  for  duty,  officers  and  men, 
158.  The  result  of  this  engagement  has  stamped 
a  character  on  the  war  in  this  quarter,  highly  fa- 
vourable to  the  American  arms:  it  is  an  event  from 
which  may  be  drawn  the  most  favourable  augury. 

An  achievement  so  glorious  in  itself,  and  so  im° 
portant  in  its  consequences,  should  be  appreciated 
by  the  government ,  and  those  concerned  are  enti- 
tled to,  and  will,  doubtless,  receive  the  most  gratify^ 
ing  evidence  of  the  approbation  of  their  countrymen. 


170  MEMOIRS   OF 

In  the  words  of  I\Iajor  Lawrence,  *^  where  all  be- 
haved well,  it  is  unnecessary  to  discriminate."  Bat 
all  being  meritorious,  I  beg  leave  to  annex  the  names 
of  the  officers,  who  were  engaged  and  present ;  and 
hope  they  will,  individually,  be  deemed  worthy  of 
distinction. 

Maj.  Wm.  Lawrence,  2d  infantry,  commanding; 
Capt.  Walsh,  of  the  artillery;  Capts.  Chamberlain, 
Brownlow,  and  Bradley,  of  the  2d  infantry  ;  Capt. 
Sands,  deputy  commissary  of  ordnance ;  Lieuts. 
Villard,  Sturges,  Conway,  H.  Sanderg,  T.  R.  San- 
ders, Brooks,  Davis,  and  C.  Sanders,  all  of  the  2d 
infantry. 

I  am  confident  that  your  own  feelings  will  lead 
you  to  participate  in  my  wishes  on  (his  subject. 
Permit  me  to  suggest  the  propriety  and  justice  of 
allowing  to  this  gallant  band,  the  value  of  the  ves- 
sel destroyed  by  them.     I  remain,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON,  Brig.  Gen,  Com. 

The  Hon.  Secretary  of  JFar, 

The  following  is  "  the  official  report  of  Maj.  Wm. 
Lawrence,"  alluded  to  by  Gen.  Jackson,  in  his  let- 
ter to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

MAJ.  LAWRENCE  TO  GEN.  JACKSON. 

Fort  Bowjjcr,  Sept.  15th,  1814)— 
12  0^ clock  at  night. 
Sir, — After  writing  the  enclosed,  I  was  prevented 
"by  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  from  sending  it  by 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  171 

an  express.  At  meridian  they  were  under  full  sail, 
with  an  easy  and  favourable  breeze,  standing  di- 
rectly for  the  fort,  and  at  4»  P.  M.  we  opened  our 
battery,  which  was  returned  from  two  ships,  and 
two  brigs,  as  they  approached.  The  action  became 
general  at  about  20  minutes  past  4,  and  was  contin- 
ued, without  intermission  on  either  side,  until  f, 
when  one  ship  and  two  brigs  were  compelled  to  re- 
tire. The  leading  ship,  supposed  to  be  the  Com- 
modore, mounting  22  thirty-two  pound  carronadee, 
having  anchored  nearest  our  battery,  was  so  much 
disabled,  her  cable  being  cut  by  our  shot,  that  she 
drifted  on  shore,  within  600  yards  of  the  battery, 
and  the  other  vessels  having  got  out  of  our  reach, 
we  kept  such  a  tremendous  fire  upon  her,  that  she 
was  set  on  fire,  and  abandoned  by  the  few  of  the 
crew  who  survived.  At  10  P.  M.  we  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  witnessing  the  explosion  of  her  magazine. 
The  loss  of  lives  on  board  must  have  been  immense, 
as  we  are  certain  no  boats  left  her  except  three, 
which  had  previously  gone  to  her  assistance,  and 
one  of  these  1  believe  was  sunk:  in  fact  one  of  her 
boats  was  burnt  along  side  of  her. 

The  brig  that  followed  her,  I  am  certain  was 
much  damaged  both  in  hull  and  rigging.  The 
other  two  did  not  approach  near  enough  to  be  much 
injured,  but  I  am  confident  they  did  not  escape,  as 
a  well  directed  fire  was  kept  on  them  during  the 
whole  time. 


112  3JEM0IRS    01 

During  the  action,  a  battery  of  a  twelve  pounde? 
and  a  howitzer,  was  opened  on  our  rear,  but  without 
doing  any  executionjand  was  silenced  by  a  few  shot. 
Our  loss  is  4j privates  killed,  and  5  privates  wounded. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  action  the' flag-staff  was 
shot  auay;  but  the  flag  was  immediately  hoisted 
on  a  sponge  stall  over  the  parapet.  While  the  flag 
was  down,  the  enemy  kepi  up  their  most  incessant 
and  tremendous  fire:  the  men  were  withdrawn  from 
the  curtains  and  northeast  bastion,  as  the  enemy's 
own  shot  completely  protected  our  rear,  except  the 
position  they  had  chosen  for  their  battery. 

Where  all  behaved  well,  it  is  unnecessary  to  dis- 
criminate. Suffice  it  to  say,  every  officer  and  man 
did  his  duty;  the  whole  behaved  with  that  cool- 
ness and  intrepidity  which  is  characteristic  of  the 
true  American,  and  which  could  scarcely  have  been 
expected  from  men,  most  of  whom  had  never  seen 
an  enemy,  and  were  now,  for  the  first  time,  exposed 
for  nearly  three  hours,  to  a  force  of  nearly  or  quite 
four  guns  to  one. 

We  fired  during  the  action  between  4  and  5(X> 
guns,  most  of  them  double  shotted,  and  after  the 
first  half  hour  but  few  missed  effect. 

September  16/A,  11  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Upon  an  examination  of  our  battery  this  morn- 
ing, we  find  upwards  of  300  shot  and  shot  holes,  in 
the  inside  of  the  north  and  east  curtains,  and  north- 
east bastions,  of  all  calibres,  from, miisket  ball  to  32 


ANDREW    JACKSOK.  IT'S 

pound  shot.  In  the  north-east  bastion  there  were 
three  guns  dismounted  ;  one  of  which,  a  four  pound- 
er, was  broken  off  near  the  trunnions  by  a  32  pound 
shot,  and  another  much  battered.  1  regret  to  say 
that  both  the  2i  pounders  are  cracked  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  render  them  unfit  for  service. 

I  am  informed  by  two  deserters  from  the  land 
force,  who  have  just  arrived  here,  and  whom  I  send 
for  your  disposal,  that  a  reinforcement  is  expected, 
when  they  will  doubtless  endeavour  to  wipe  off  the 
stain  of  yesterday. 

If  you  will  send  the  Amelia  down,  we  may  pro- 
bably save  most  or  all  of  the  ship's  guns,  as  her 
wreck  is  lying  in  six  or  seven  feet  water,  and  some  of 
them  are  just  covered.  They  will  not,  however,  an- 
swer for  the  fort,  as  they  are  too  short. 

By  the  deserters,  we  learn  that  the  ship  we  have 
destroyed,  was  the  Hermes,  but  her  commander's 
name  they  did  not  recollect.  It  was  the  Commo- 
dore,  and  he  doubtless  fell  on  his  quarter  deck,  as 
we  had  a  raking  fire  upon  it,  at  about  200  yards 
distance,  for  some  time. 

To  Capt.  Sands,  who  will  have  the  honour  of 
handing  you  this  depatch,  I  refer  you  for  a  more 
particular  account  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy 
than  may  be  contained  in  my  letters:  his  services, 
both  before  and  during  the  action,  were  of  great 
importance,  and  I  consider  fully  justify  me  in  hav^ 
ing  detained  hira>  Capt.  Walsh  and  several  luaB 
P  2 


17-i  ME3f©iRS    QF 

ivere  much  burned  in  the  accidental  explosion  oi 
two  or  three  cartridges.  They  are  not  included  in 
the  list  of  the  wounded  heretofore  given. 

The  enemy's  fleet  this  morning,  at  day  break, 
were  at  anchor  in  the  channel,  about  four  miles 
from  the  fort :  shortly  after,  it  got  under  weigh  and 
stood  to  sea:  after  passing  the  bar,  they  hove  to, 
and  boats  have  been  constantly  passing  between  the 
disabled  brig  and  the  others.  I  presume  the  for- 
mer is  so  much  injured  as  to  render  it  necessary  to 
lighten  her. 

Fifteen  minutes  after  1,  P,  M. 

The  whole  fleet  have  this  moment  made  sail,  and 
arc  standing  to  sea.     I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
WILLIAM  LAWRENCE. 

Maj.  Gen,  Andrew  Jackson^  See, 

When  it  is  considered  that  this  fort  was  in  a  very 
incomplete  state,  having  been  almost  totally  aban- 
doned,  until  Gen.  Jackson  had  recently  discovered 
its  importance  to  the  surrotmding  country  in  time 
of  war — that  it  was  only  in  a  progressive  state  of 
improvement — that  it  was  garrisoned  by  only  15(>- 
xaew  recruits,  who  had  never  before  faced  a  veteran 
enemy — and  that  it  was  assailed  on  every  side  by 
land  and  naval  forces,  probahly  amounting  to  1500 
men,  and  100  pieces  of  cannon,  its  defence  may  be 
ranked  among  tlie  most  gallant  achievements  in  the 
!ast,  or  any  previous  war  in  America:     When  the 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  175 

defences  of  Stonington,  Fort  M" Henry,  Fort  Bonyer, 
and  Fort  St.  Phillips,  are  remembered,  the  "  naval 
demonstrations"  of  the  haughty  mistress  of  the 
ocean,  lose  the  terror  which  our  countrymen  for- 
merly attached  to  them;  and  shews  that  independ- 
ent and  valiant  freemen,  defendijig  their  homes 
against  modern  hired  Vandals,  sent  to  destroy  them,. 
nill  be  victorious. 


17S  MEMOIRS  or 


CHAPTER  XII. 

GcQ.  Jackson  is  appointed  Maj.  Gen.  iu  U.  S.  army — Fori  Bowyer— 
its  importance,  and  its  danger — Gen.  Jackson  determines  to  re- 
duce Pensacola— Arrival  of  Gen.  Coffee  with  Tennessee  Volunteers 
and  Mississippi  Dragoons — Capture  of  Pensacola — Geu.  Jackson's 
account  of  it — Destruction  of  the  Barancas — Ke  returns  to  Mo- 
bile— Col.  Nicoll's  proclamation — Remark. 

Previous  to  this  period,  (Oct.  1814,)  General 
Jackson  had  been  appointed  a  Major  General  in  the 
army  of  the  United  States,  and  commander  of  the 
rth  military  district.  He  had  been  Major  General^ 
by  brevet,  some  time  antecedent  to  this  appoint- 
ment, and  commander  of  the  same  district. 

The  importance  of  Fort  Bowyer  as  a  military 
post,  became  more  and  more  apparent  to  him,  as 
he  discovered  the  immense  preparation  of  the  ene- 
my, ta  assail  the  whole  American  seaboard,  from 
Pensacola  to  New-Orleans.  This  fort  was  but  three 
days'  march  for  land  forces  from  Pensacola,  where 
the  British  had  already  hoisted  their  flag;  and  from 
thence  to  New. Orleans,  but  ten  days*^  march.  By 
the  possession  of  this  fort  at  the  mouth  of  the  ca- 
pacious bay  of  Mobile — the  bay  itself,  and  the  ad- 
joining country,  the  British  land  and  naval  forces 
"yrould  derive  incalculable  advantages.     To  secure 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  177 

it,  therefore,  was,  in  the  view  of  the  commanding 
general,  of  the   utmost  importance.     But  however 
important  the  measure,  the  means  to  accomplish  it 
were  altogether  beyond  his  reach.     Without  a  na» 
val  force  to  cover  the  fort,  or  to  assist  in  its  defence, 
with  but  a  small  regular  force  under  his  command 
at  Mobile,  and  wholly  uncertain   when   the  forces 
from  the  distant  state  of  Tennessee,  and  other  pla- 
ces, would  arrive,  it  would  seem  to  have  been  the 
dictate,  not  only  of  the  cardinal  virtue  oi  prudence, 
but  oi  fortitude  itself,  to  have  evacuated  the  fort 
and   the  country  at  once.     The  gallant  defence  of 
this  place  upon  the  15th  September,  although  a  se- 
vere mortification  to  the  enemy,  would  induce  them 
to  send  a  force  against  it,  absolutely  irresistible.     So 
insufficient  were  his  means  of  defence,    from  the 
middle  of  September,  to  about  the  aOth  October, 
and   so   overwhelming   was  the  superiority  of  the 
enemy's  force,  and  constantly  augmenting,  that  had 
he  at  this  time  retired  to  New-Orleans,  with  his^ 
Jittle  army,  an  unanimous  sentence  of  approbation 
must   have  been   pronounced   by  his  countrymen. 
But  his  language  was,  "  resting  on  the  bravery 

OF    MY    LITTLE    PHALANX,    I    HOPE    FOR    SUCCESS." 

Notwithstanding  the  discouraging  aspect  of  affairs,, 
it  was  at  this  period  that  he  resolved,  on  his  own 
responsibility,  to  march  for  Pensacola ;  and  with 
his  army  <*  to  carry  our  arms  where  we  find  our  en- 


irS  MEMOIRS   OF 

eniies,^*^  Having  been  educated  as  a  jurist,  he  was 
versed  in  the  principles  of  the  Law  of  Nations, 
He  had  a  knowledge  of  the  obligations  which  one 
government  owes  to  another — he  was  aware  of  the 
acts  which  this  code  would  justify  in  a  Oriligerent 
power,  and  the  duty  it  enjoined  upon  a  power  that 
was  professedly  a  neutral  one.  The  Spanish  gov- 
ernment at  this  time,  in  regard  to  the  American 
Republic,  was  of  the  latter  character  by  profession, 
and  of  the  former  one  by  practice.  He  determined 
to  place  himself  within  striking  distance  of  the  en- 
emy, whether  he  found  them  devastating  the  ter- 
ritory of  the  Republic,  or  preparing  to  do  it  in  the 
adjoining  territory  of  another  power.  The  proprie- 
ty and  legality  of  this  measure  will  more  properly 
be  considered,  when  we  have  traced  the  life  of 
Gen.  Jackson  to  the  year  1818,  when  he,  a  second 
time,  carried  the  American  arms  to  the  capital  of 
Florida. 

About  the  25th  October,  the  exhilirating  intelli- 
gence was   received  at  Mobile,  that  Gen.   CofTee 

*  Had  it  not  been  for  some  unaccountable  neglect  or  design  in  the 
War  Department,  in  July,  1814,  Gen.  Jackson  would  not  have  been 
reduced  to  this  dilemma  Upon  January  17tb,  1815,  he  received  a 
letter  from  Mr.  Armstrong,  dated  July  18th,  1814,  as  Secretary  of 
War,  which  says — "  If  all  the  circu.iistances  stated  by  you,  unite,  the 
conclusion  is  irresistible  It  becomes  our  duty  to  carry  our  arms  where 
loe  Jind  our  enemies.''^  Mr.  Armstrong,  not  long  after  this  date,  was 
surcfPded  in  the  war  department,  by  Mr.  Monroe.  The  whole  of  this 
Utter  may  be  seen  by  recurrence  to  the  publicatipos  of  that  period. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  179 

had  arrived  at  Fort  St.  Stevens,  with  nearly  3000 
"  Tennessee  Volunteers,"  and  Mississippi  Dragoons, 
The  news  operated  upon  the  **  little  phalanx,'*  like 
a  shock  of  electricity  upon  the  human  system. 
Though  previously  resolved  to  follow  their  com- 
mander to  the  cannon's  month,  and  force  their  way 
into  the  fortress  of  the  enemy,  though  bristled  with 
bayonets,  they  became  enthusiastic  when  they  knew 
they  were  reinforced  by  veterans,  to  many  of  whom 
victory  had  become  familiar,  and  who  were  igno- 
rant of  the  name  of  fear.  Gen.  Jackson  hastened 
to  the  encampment  of  his  companion  in  arms.  He 
might  have  said  of  Gen.  Coifee,  as  Nelson  said  of 
Capt.  Hardy — "  He  is  my  right  arm"  They  had 
travelled  hand  in  hand,  in  the  highroad  to  con- 
quest over  savages,  and  were  now  again  united  in  a 
desperate  effort  to  save  their  country  from  subju- 
gation and  slavery,  by  the  vaunting  conquerors  of 
the  rights  of  man  in  Europe. 

Many  of  the  troops  who  arrived  from  Tennessee 
and  Mississippi,  had  seen  no  service,  but  they  saw 
their  beloved  country  endangered,  and  they  imme- 
diately became  practical,  if  not  theoretical  soldiers. 
Parts  of  the  3d,  39th,  and  44th  infantry  of  U.  S. 
soldiers,  were  mingled  with  them.  In  a  few  days, 
Ihey  were  all  ready  for  an  expedition  to  Pensacola, 
to  "  plant  the  American  Eagle*^  in  the  place  of  the 
British  Lion.*' 

*  A  British  flag  had,  for  many  days,  been  hoiited  at  the  Spanish 

fort  ID  Pensacola, 


180  MEMOIRS    OF 

Upon  the  3d  November,  the  army  took  up  the 
line  of  March.  Gen.  Jackson  commanded  in  per- 
son. Upon  the  6th,  he  approached  the  place,  and 
sent  forward  a  flag  to  the  governor  at  Fort  St. 
George.  In  open  violation  of  every  principle  of 
civilized  warfare — in  flagrant  contempt  of  the 
rights  even  of  contending  armies.  Major  Pierre,  who 
bore  the  flag,  was  fired  on  by  a  cannon  from  the 
fort !  It  was  courtesy  alone,  that  induced  General 
Jackson  to  send  the  flag.  His  wish  was,  notwith- 
standing the  previous  insolence  of  Gov.  Manrequez, 
to  save  (he  effusion  of  human  blood,  by  a  pacific 
interview,  explaining  the  object  of  his  visit;  and 
Lad  he  imraedialely  stormed  the  fort,  and  put  the 
garrison  to  the  sword,  the  laws  of  war  would  have 
justifit'd  the  procedure.  He  encamped  his  troops 
for  the  night,  and  upon  the  morning  of  the  Ttb, 
**  proclaimed  his  diph^matic  character  from  the 
jyiouths  of  Ids  cannon.'*^ 

The  general  hastily  and  briefly  describes  the  bat- 
tle in  the  following  letter,  having  subsequently  made 
his  Report  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

GEN.  JACKSON  TO  GOV.  BLOUNT. 

H.  ^,   7th  Military  District^ 
TensarVj  Nov.  1814. 
Sir, — On  last  evening  I  returned  from  Pensacola 
to  this  place.     I  reached  that  po'^t  on  the  evening 
of  the  6th.     On  my  approach,  I  sent  Major  Pierre 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  181 

With  a  flag  to  corunuinicate  the  object  of  my  visit 
to  the  Governor  of  Pensacola.  He  approached  Fort 
St.  George,  with  his  flag  displayed,  and  was  fired 
on  by  the  cannon  from  the  fort:  he  returned,  and 
made  report  thereof  to  me.  I  immediately  went, 
with  the  adjutant-general  and  the  major,  with  a 
small  escort,  and  viewed  the  fort,  and  found  it  de- 
fended  by  both  British  and  Spanish  troops.  I  im- 
mediately determined  to  storm  the  town;  retired 
and  encamped  my  troops  for  the  night,  and  made 
the  necessary  arrangements  to  carry  my  determina- 
tion into  effect  the  next  day. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Tth,  I  marched  with  the 
effective  regulars  of  the  3d,  39lh,  and  4th  infantry; 
part  of  Gen.  CoiTee*s  brigade;  the  Mississippi  dra« 
goons,  and  part  of  the  West  Tennessee  regiment, 
commanded  by  Lieut.  Col.  Hammonds,  (Col.  Low 
ry  having  deserted  and  gone  home)  ami  part  of 
the  Choctaws,  led  by  Maj.  Blue,  of  the  39th,  and 
Maj.  Kennedy,  of  Mississippi  territory.  Being  en« 
camped  on  the  west  of  the,  town,  I  calculated  they 
would  expect  the  assault  from  that  quarter,  and  be 
prepared  to  rake  rae  from  the  fc^rt,  and  the  British 
armed  vessels,  7  in  number,  that  lay  in  the  bay. 
To  cherish  this  itiea,  I  srnt  out  part  of  the  mounted 
men  to  show  themselves  on  the  west,  whilst  i  passed 
in  rear  of  the  fort  imdisravered  to  the  east  of  the 
town.  When  1  appeared  within  a  mile,  I  was  in 
full  view.  My  pride  was  never  more  heightened 
Q 


182  MEMOIRS    OF 

than  in  viewing  the  uniform  firmness  of  my  troops, 
and  with  what  undaunted  courage  they  advanced, 
with  a  strong  fort  ready  to  assail  them  on  the  right ; 
seven  British  armed  vessels  on  the  left ;  strong  block- 
houses and  batteries  of  cannon  in  their  front :  but 
they  still  advanced  with  unshaken  firmness,  and  en- 
tered the  town,  when  a  battery  of  two  cannon  was 
opened  upon  the  centre  column,  composed  of  regu- 
lars, with  ball  and  grape,  and  a  shower  of  musketry 
from  the  houses  and  gardens.  The  battery  was  im- 
mediately stormed  by  Capt.  Levall  and  company, 
and  carried,  and  the  musketry  was  soon  silenced  by 
the  steady  and  well  directed  fire  of  the  regulars. 

The  governor  met  Cols.  Williamson  and  Smith, 
who  led  the  dismounted  volunteers,  with  a  flag, 
begged  for  mercy,  and  surrendered  the  town  and 
fort,  unconditionally.  Mercy  was  granted  and  pro- 
tection given  to  the  citizens  and  their  property,  and 
still  Spanish  treachery  kept  us  out  of  possession  of 
the  fort,  until  nearly  12  o'clock  at  night. 

Never  was  more  cool,  determined  bravery  dis- 
played by  any  troops;  and  the  Choctaws  advanced 
to  the  charge  with  equal  bravery. 

On  the  morning  of  the  8th,  I  prepared  to  march 
and  storm  the  Barancas;  but  before  I  could  move, 
tremendous  explosions  told  me  that  the  Barancas, 
with  all  its  appendages,  was  blown  up.  I  despatch- 
ed a  detachment  of  200  men  to  explore  it,  who  re- 
turned in  the  night,  with  the  information  that   it 


ANDREW    JACKSON, 


183 


was  blown  up ;  all  the  combustible  parts  burnt ; 
the  cannon  spiked  and  dismounted,  except  two. 
This  being  the  case,  I  determined  to  withdraw  my 
troops ;  but  before  I  did,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  see- 
ing the  British  depart.  Col.  Nicoll  abandoned  the 
fort  on  the  night  of  the  6th,  and  betook  himself  to 
Ids  shipping,  with  his  friend  Capt.  Woodbine,  and 
their  red  friends. 

The  steady  firmness  of  my  troops  has  drawn  a 
just  respect  from  our  enemies.  It  has  convinced 
the  Pved  Sticks,  that  they  have  no  strong  hold  or 
protection,  only  in  the  friendship  of  the  United 
States.  The  good  order  and  conduct  of  my  troops 
whilst  in  Pensacola,  has  convinced  the  Spaniards 
of  our  friendship  and  our  prowess,  and  has  drawn 
from  the  citizens  an  expression,  that  owr  C/iOc^aK'5 
are  more  civilized  than  the  British. 
In  great  haste,  I  am,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

In  this  engagement  not  an  American  lost  his  life. 
The  gallant  Capt.  Levall,  mentioned  in  the  general's 
letter,  commenced  the  attack,  and  fell  desperately 
wounded  at  the  head  of  his  command,  in  storming 
the  enemy's  battery.  The  conduct  of  Gov.  Manre- 
quez,  in  the  midst  of  the  engagement,  is  a  volume 
of  commentary  upon  his  previous  conduct.  **  With 
a  flag,  he  begged  for  mercy,  and  surrendered  the 
town  and  fort,  unconditionaWi  /"     General  Jackson 


184  MEMOIRS   or 

might  have  said  to  him,  as  a  gallant  chieftain  of 
antiquity  did  to  a  trembling  and  supplicating  foe— 
"  Be  not  as  extreme  in  submissioii  as  in  oj'ence,'** 
This  generous  commander  felt  a  contemptuous  pity 
for  the  humbled  governor.  He  was  aware  that  he 
was  not  a  free  agent,  and,  of  course,  hardly  an  ac- 
countable being.  He  acted  under  duress  from  the 
imperious  Col.  Nicoll  and  Capt.  Woodbine,  who,  no 
less  terrified  than  the  governor,  fled  in  consternation 
to  their  shipping,  before  a  gun  was  fired  ;  in  which > 
if  they  could  not  withstand,  they  could  flee  from  the 
vengeance  of  Republican  Soldiers. 

Soon  after  the  terms  of  capitulation  were  agreed 
upon,  the  governor  agreed  also  to  surrender  the  Ba- 
rancaSf  about  15  miles  to  the  westward.  But  in 
perfect  consistency  with  Spanish  faith,  and  British 
honour,  it  was  blown  up  and  completely  demolish- 
ed, before  it  could  be  possessed  by  the  American 
forces. 

Gen.  Jackson,  having  struck  this  important  blow; 
having  convinced  the  hostile  Indians,  that  Span- 
iards could  not  protect  them;  and  Spaniards,  tliat 
the  confident  security  they  had  placed  in  British 
protection  only  exposed  them  to  destruction,  he  ira- 
mediately  prepared  to  throw  himself  and  his  army 
into  the  more  exposed  parts  of  the  country.  It  ex- 
cites astonishment  that  he  should  have  left  Mobile 
upon  the  3d,  arrived  at  Pensacola  upon  the  6th,  cap- 
tured it  upon  the  7th,  agreed  upon  the  surrender  of 


ANDREW    JACKSON, 


185 


the  Barancas  upon  the  8th,  and  upon  the  9th  have 
taken  up  the  line  of  march  for  Mobile  to  defend 
Fort  Bowyer.  To  this  celerity  of  movement,  and 
importance  of  measures,  modern  warfare  scarcely 
furnishes  a  parallel.  Gen.  Jackson  possesses  one  of 
the  most  essential  attributes  of  a  warrior— prom/>^i. 
tude.  He  decides  promptly— he  executes  promptly. 
He  also  possesses  the  rare  quality  of  infusing  into 
the   hearts  of  his  soldiers,  th€  ardour  that  inspires 

his  own. 

While  these  events  were  transpiring  in  the  eastern 
section  of  the  7th  military  district,  the  solicitude  of 
the  commander  and  the  whole  adjoining  country, 
was  increased  for  the  safety  of  New-Orleans,  era^ 
phatically  the  key  of  the  whole  Western  States  and 
Territories. 

Col.  Nicoll,  soon  after  his  arrival  at  Pensacola, 
confident  of  success,  and  swelling  with  the  «  un^ 
gathered  laurels"  of  anticipated  victories,  endeav-^ 
oured  to  prepare  the  minds  of  Louisianians,  Ken- 
tuckians,  Tennesseeans,  and  the  citizens  of  Missis- 
sippi, for  the  blessin^rs  of  British  dominion,  to  whicb 
they  would  shortly  be  subjected.  Although  his  eel^ 
ebrated  proclamation  has  long  been  before  the  in- 
dignant  reader,  to  hold  that  and  him  up  again  ta 
contempt,  I  insert  it  in  this  work. 

COL.  NICOLL,  TO  LOUISIANIANS,  KENTUCKIANS,  &c>^ 

"Natives  of  Louisiana  !   On  you  the  £rst  call  i^ 
0.2 


186  MEMOIRS    OF 

made,  to  assist  in  liberating  from  a  faithless^  imbe- 
cile government,  your  paternal  soil:  Spaniards, 
Frenchmen,  Italians,  and  British,  whether  settled, 
or  residing  for  a  time  is  Louisiana,  on  you,  also,  I 
call,  to  aid  me  in  this  just  cause.  The  American 
usurpation  in  this  country,  must  be  abolished,  and 
the  lanful  owners  of  the  soil  put  in  possession.  I 
am  at  the  head  of  a  large  body  cf  Indians,  well 
armed,  disciplined,  and  commanded  by  British  offi- 
cers— a  good  train  of  artillery,  with  every  requisite, 
seconded  by  the  powerful  aid  of  a  numerous  British 
and  Spanish  squadron  of  ships  and  vessels  of  wan 
Be  not  alarmed,  inhabitants  of  the  country,  at  our 
approach;  the  same  good  faith  and  disinterested- 
ness, which  has  distinguished  the  conduct  of  Brit- 
ons in  Europe,  accompanies  them  here;  you  will 
have  no  fear  of  litigious  taxes  imposed  on  you,  for 
the  purpose  of  carrying  on  an  unnatural  and  anjust 
war  ;  your  property,  your  laws,  the  peace  and  tran- 
quillity of  your  country,  will  be  guaranteed  to  you 
by  men,  who  will  suffer  no  infringement  of  theirs. 
Rtst  assured,  that  these  brave  red  men  only  burn 
with  an  ardent  desire  of  satisfaction,  for  the  wrongs 
they  have  suffered  from  the  Amtrirans;  to  join 
you,  in  liberating  these  southern  provinces  from 
their  yoke^  and  drive  them  into  those  limits  former- 
ly prescribed  by  my  sovereign.  The  Indians  have 
pledged  themselves  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  not 
to  injure,  in  the  slightest  degree,  the  persons  or 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  187 

properties  of  any,  but  enemies.  A  flag  over  any 
door,  whether  Spanish,  French,  or  British,  will  be  a 
certain  protection  ;  nor  dare  any  Indian  put  his  foot 
on  the  thresliold  thereof,  under  penalty  of  death 
from  his  own  countrymen  ;  not  even  an  enemy,  will 
an  Indian  put  to  death,  except  resisting  in  arms; 
and  as  for  injuring  helpless  women  and  children, 
the  red  men,  by  their  good  conduct,  and  treatment 
to  them,  will  (if  it  be  possible)  make  the  Ameri- 
cans bhish  for  their  more  inhuman  conduct  lately 
on  the  Escambia,  and  within  a  neutral  territory. 

Inhabitants  of  Kentucky  !  you  have  too  long 
borne  with  grievous  impositions — the  whole  brunt 
of  the  war  has  fallen  on  your  brave  sons :  be  impo- 
sed on  no  longer,  but  either  range  yourselves  under 
the  standard  of  your  forefathers,  or  observe  a  strict 
neutrality. 

If  you  comply  with  either  of  these  offers,  what- 
ever provisions  you  send  down,  will  be  paid  for  in 
dollars f  and  the  safety  of  the  persons  bringing  ity  as 
well  as  the  free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi^  guar* 
anteed  to  you.  Men  of  Kentucky  !  let  me  call  to 
your  view,  (and  I  trust  to  your  abhorrence,)  the 
conduct  of  those  factions,  which  hurried  you  into 
this  civil,  unjusty  and  unnatural  war^  at  a  time  when 
Great  Britain  was  straining  every  nerve,  in  defence 
of  her  own,  and  the  liberties  of  the  world — when 
the  bravest  of  her  sons  were  fighting  and  bleeding 
in  so  sacred  a  cause— when  she  was  spend mg  mil- 


138  MEMOIRS    OP 

lions  of  her  treasure,  in  endeavouring  to  pull  down 
one  of  the  most  formidable  and  dangerous  tyrants, 
that  ever  disgraced  the  form  of  man— when  groan- 
ing Europe  was  almost  in  her  last  gasp — when  Brit' 
ons  alone  showed  an  undaunted  front — basely  did 
those  assassins  endeavour  to  stab  her  from  the  rear  ; 
she  has  turned  on  them,  renovated  from  the  bloody, 
but  successful  struggle.  Europe  is  happy  and  free, 
and  she  now  hastens,  justly,  to  revenge  the  unpro- 
voked insult.  Show  them  that  you  are  not  collect- 
ively unjust ;  leave  that  contemptible  few  to  shift  for 
themselves:  let  those  slaves  of  the  tyrant  send  an 
embassy  to  Elba,  and  implore  his  aid  ;  but  let  every 
honest,  upright  American  spurn  them  with  united 
contempt.  After  the  experience  oi twenty-one  years, 
can  you  longer  support  those  brawlers  for  liberty, 
who  call  it  freedom,  when  themselves  are  free  ?  Be 
HO  longer  their  dupes — accept  of  my  offers— every 
thing  I  have  promised  in  this  paper,.  I  guarantee 
to  you,  on  the  sacred  honour  of  a  British  officer. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  my  head  quarters,  Pen- 
sqcola,  this  29th  day  of  August,  1814. 

EDWARD   NICOLL." 

It  would  be  difficult  to  determine  whether  weak- 
ness, ignorance,  arrogance,  or  falsehood  predomi- 
nates in  this  British  state  paper;  and  whether  it 
was  the  production  of  a  cabinet  council  at  London, 
or  of  the  individual  labour  of  the  redoubted  Col. 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  189 

Nicoll.  It  would  be  "  stale,  flat,  and  unprofitable," 
to  analyze  or  criticise  it.  It  evinces  the  weakness 
of  the  author,  his  ignorance  of  the  American  charac- 
ter, the  arrogance  of  a  coward,  and  the  baseness  of 
a  scoundrel.  The  conduct  of  Nicoll  at  Pensacola, 
is  a  sufficient  commentary  upon  his  proclamation. 
Having  duped  the  Governor  of  Florida,  and  expo- 
sed his  capital  to  destruction,  he  basely  deserted 
him,  in  his  utmost  need,  and  shewed,  that  with  an 
ancient  British  Knight,  he  thought  "  the  better  part 
of  valour  is — discretion."  Maj.  I^awrence,  at  Fort 
Bowyer,  taught  him,  for  the  rest  part  of  his  life, 
to  look  with  a  single  eye.^  No  proclamation  could 
be  better  calculated  to  call  the  gallant  sons  ot  Ken- 
tucky, Tennessee,  Louisiana,  and  Mississippi,  to  the 
standard  of  the  American  Hero,  than  this.  They 
knew  well  how  to  distinguish  between  his  patriot- 
ism and  courage,  and  *'  the  sacred  honour  of  a  Brit- 
ish officer*'^  It  will  be  remembered  that  another 
British  officer,  Gen.  Brisbane,  invited  the  citizens 
of  New-York  and  Vermont,  to  flee  to  the  standard 
of  Sir  George  Prevost,  at  Plattsburg.  They  pre- 
ferred that  of  Gen.  Macomb;  and  there  taught  the 
vaunting  conquerors  of  Napoleon  the  same  lesson  at 
the  Norths  which  Gen,  Jackson  afterwards  repeated 
to  them  at  the  South, 

*  See  Gen.  Jackson's  account  of  the  defence  of  Fort  Bowyer. 


i90  MEMOIRS   Of 


CHAPTER  Xlir. 

General  Jackson's  arrival  at  New-Orleans— perilous  situation  of  that 
place— reliance  upon  distant  forces— bis  address  to  the  people  of 
Louisiana — tinaidity  of  the  legislature — evidence  of  disaffection, 
and  traitorous  conduct — Declaration  of  Martial  Law — Measures  of 
defence— Arrival  of  reinforcements— Landing  of  the  enemy — Bat- 
tle of  the  23d  December— OflScial  report  of  it. 

The  solicitude  which  Gen.  Jackson  felt  for  the 
safety  of  Mobile  Bay  and  Fort  Bowyer,  was  now 
almost  forgotten  in  the  overwhelming  anxiety  he 
endured  for  the  most  important  place  in  his  district, 
and,  in  some  respects,  in  the  Union — Nciv-Orleans, 
For  a  considerable  period  there  had  been  no  general 
officer  in  the  7th  military  district  but  himself,  who 
was  attached  to  the  army  of  the  United  States,  al- 
though with  him  there  had  long  been  one  general 
officer  who  would  adorn  any  service.  At  length 
Brig.  Gen.  Winchester,  of  the  U.  S.  army,  arrived, 
and  to  him  Gen.  Jackson  assigned  the  command  of 
the  eastern  section  of  his  district,  and  immediately 
repaired  to  New-Orleans. 

He  arrived  at  this  place  upon  the  2d  December, 
1814.  A  mere  casuist  may  wonder  why  the  pres- 
ence of  a  single  individual  at  an  exposed  place,  is 
an  augury  of  its  safety ;  hut  it  is  in  vain  for  casu- 
ists, philosophers,  or  stoics,  to  laugh  at  a  sentiment 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  191 

that  is  common  to  our  nature.  The  presence  of 
Washington  at  Trenton^  and  of  Putnam  at  Bun* 
ker^s  Hill,  had  the  same  effect  upon  citizens  and 
soldiers,  as  that  of  Jackson  at  Neiv-Orleans, 

At  no  period  since  the  declaration  of  American 
Independence  in  July  1776,  to  December  1814,  had 
an  American  commander  a  duty  of  more  impor- 
tance and  difficulty  to  discharge,  than  had  Gen. 
Jackson  at  this  portentous  period.  At  Mobile,  with 
means  apparently  wholly  insufficient,  (to  use  his 
own  language,)  he  had  "  a  sickly  clinmte,  as  well 
as  an  enemy  to  contend  with."  At  New-Orleans, 
he  had  to  contend  with  the  consternation  of  the 
citizens,  the  insolence  of  judicial  power,  and  the 
timorous  policy  of  the  legislature  of  Louisiana  ;  as 
well  as  against  the  most  powerful  land  and  naval 
force,  that  had,  for  forty  years,  menaced  any  one 
place  in  the  Republic.  He  had  also  to  contend  with 
the  prejudices,  the  favouritism,  and  the  perficHous- 
ness  of  foreigners,  a  vast  number  of  whom  had  mi- 
grated to  Louisiana  before  its  accession  to  the  Re- 
public, by  Mr.  Monroe's  treaty. 

Although  the  proclamation  of  Nicoll,  excites  in 
the  mind  of  an  intelligent  American  reader,  no 
feeling  but  that  of  ineffable  contempt ;  yet  uith  the 
mixed  population  of  Louisiana,  its  effects  might  be 
essentially  different.  Although  amongst  that  popu- 
lation, were  many  native  Americans  of  distinguish- 
ed talents  and  patriotism,  it  is  without  a  doubt  the 


192  MEMOIRS    OF 

fact,  that  in  1814,  a  majority  of  its  inhabitanta 
were  of  foreign  fxtraction;  and  that  much  the 
most  niinuTous  class  of  foreigners  were  Frenchmen. 
They  saw  the  same  formidable  power,  that  had  re- 
cently taken  the  lead  in  conquerini^  the  conqueror  of 
Europe,  driving  him  into  exile,  and  restorini;  Louis 
XVIII.  to  the  French  throne,  now  menacing  Lou- 
isiana with  a  force,  that  seemed  to  be  irresistible. 
Spaniards^  in  the  same  power,  recognized  the  re- 
storer of  Ferdinanrl  VII.  Englishmen^  dared  not 
take  up  arms  against  their  oun  countrymen  unless 
certain  of  victory.  Gen.  Jackson  was  auare  that 
in  this  discordant  mass  of  people,  there  would  he 
many,  who  uould  not  only  neglect  to  repair  to  the 
American  stantJard,  but  who  would  '*  give  aid  and 
comfort''  to  the  enemy.  He  was  also  aware  that 
energetic  and  coercive  measures  to  detect  domestic 
traitors,  or  to  conquer  a  powerful  foe,  would  nieet 
with  rtsistance  from  that  undefined,  and  frequently 
unrestrained  spirit  of  liberty,  wliich  foreigners,  re- 
cently settled  \n  the  Republic,  almost  invariably 
manifest.  But,  it  was  in  vain  for  him  to  wish  for 
a  diJferent  state  of  thines,  or  to  pursue  a  course  of 
con:'uct  which  adiirerent  state  would  have  render- 
ed judicious  ami  expedient.  He  was  compelled  to 
act  as  circumstances  dictated,  without  thepowerof 
changing  them.  Like  a  great  m.in  in  danger,  de- 
scribed by  a  great  poet,  with  elegance—''  Serene 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  193 

and  master  of  himself,  he  prepared  for  what  might 
comey  and  left  the  rest  to  heaven,^* 

Commander  in  Chief  of  the   extensive   and  im- 
portant  military  district  No.  f,  he  knew  that  the 
eyes  and  the  hopes  of  the  American  people  were  fixed 
upon  him,  and  "the  little  phalanx"  who  had  fol- 
lowed him  to  victory.     With  many  who  Ivnew  the 
peril  of  his  situation,   these   hopes  were  mingled 
with  despair  ;  but  despair  never  produced  its  para- 
lizing  effects  in  the  bosom  of  the  general.     In  Gov. 
Claiborne  of  Louisiana,  Gov.  Blount  of  Tennessee, 
and    Gov.   Shelby  of  Kenlucky,  he   felt   a  safe,  a 
certain  reliance,  as  he  knew    them  to   be  patriotic 
statesmen   of  the   first  water.     In  Gen.  Coifee  and 
Gen.  Carroll,  and  the  gallant  men  whom  he  knew 
would  follow  him  to  victory  or  to  death,  he  could 
recognize  oflicers  and  soldiers  who  would  cheerfully 
unite  with  him  and  the  S'uall  regular  force  he  had 
under  his  command,  at  New-Orleans.     From  Mis- 
sissippi, he  also  felt  the  strongest  assurance  that  his 
force  would  be  augmented  by  many  of  its  gallant 
soldiers,  who  had  followed  him  in  taking  ample  ven- 
geance upon  the  Creeks,  for  the  massacre  at  Tensaw, 
in  tleir  territory.     It   was   still,  however,  wholly 
uncertain  how  soon  an  effect ive  force,  which  would 
give  any  hopes  of  a  successful  defence  of  the  place, 
would  arrive.     His  first  reliance  was  upon  the  Lou- 
isiana militia,  upon  whom,  from  circumstances  al- 
ready mentioned,  he  could  place  the  least.     He  had 
R 


104  MEMOIRS    Of 

a  faithful  coadjutor  in  Gov.  Claiborne ;  and  from 
Mr.  Edward  Livingston,  derived  every  assistance 
which  his  great  talents  and  influence  enabled  him 
to  afford.  General  Jackson  addressed  the  citizens 
and  soldiers  of  Louisiana,  in  the  following  impres- 
sive manner : — 

*«  Natives  of  the  L^nited  States !  the  enemy  you 
are  to  contend  with,  are  the  oppressors  of  your  in- 
fant political  existence — they  are  the  men  your  fa- 
thers fought  and  conquered,  whom  you  are  now  to 
oppose. 

Descendants  of  Frenchmen!  natives  of  France  I 
they  are  English,  the  hereditary,  the  eternal  ene- 
mies of  your  ancient  country,  the  invaders  of  that 
you  have  adopted,  who  are  your  foes.  Spaniards! 
remember  the  conduct  of  your  allies  at  St.  Sebas- 
tian, and  recently  at  Pensacola,  and  rejoice  that 
you  have  an  opportunity  of  avenging  the  brutal 
injuries  inflicted  by  men  who  dishonour  the  human 
race.  Louisianians  !  your  general  rejoices  to  wit- 
ness the  spirit  that  animates  you,  not  only  for  your 
honour,  but  your  safety  ;  for  whatever  had  been 
your  conduct  or  wishes,  his  duty  would  have  led^ 
and  yet  will  lead  him,  to  confound  the  citizen,  un- 
mindful of  his  rights,  with  the  enemy  he  ceases  to 
oppose.  Commanding  men  who  know  their  riL;hts, 
and  are  determined  to  defend  them,  he  salutes  you 
as  brethren  in  arms ;  and  has  now  a  new  motive  to 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  195 

exert  all  his  faculties,  which  shall  be  strained  to 
the  utmost,  in  your  defence.  Continue  with  the 
energy  you  have  begun,  and  he  promises  you  not 
only  safety,  but  victory  over  an  insolent  foe,  who 
has  insulted  you  by  an  aflected  doubt  of  your  attach- 
ment to  the  constitution  of  your  country.  Your 
enemy  is  near ;  his  sails  already  cover  the  lakes :  but 
the  brave  are  united  ;  and  if  he  find  us  contending 
among  ourselves,  it  will  be  for  the  prize  of  valour — 
and  fame,  its  noblest  reward.'* 

Considering  the  nature  of  the  people  and  of  the 
troops  he  had  to  address,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive 
of  an  appeal  more  appropriate.  The  native  Ameri- 
cans are  pointed  to  ''  the  oppressors  of  their  infant 
political  existence''^ — The  natives  of  France  to  the 
"  eternal  enemy  rf  their  ancient  countrij — the  invaders 
of  the  one  theij  had  adopted*^ — Spaniards  too,  are 
reuiinded  of  *'  the  brutal  injuries  inflicted'^  upon 
their  country,  *' %  men  who  dishonour  the  human 
race.^^  It  was  argumentwn  ad  homimnn^din  appeal 
to  men;  which  is  generally  more  eifectual  than  ar- 
guments deduced  from  principle.  But  excepting 
with  the  American  part  of  the  population,  it  had 
no  effect.  Indeed  from  European  Spaniards  but 
little  exertion  could  be  expected  in  the  cause  of 
the  Republic,  when  they  shortly  expected  to  see 
the  country  they  inhabited  return  to  the  Spanish 
yoke ;  and  the  Frenchme!3  there,  who,  a  short  period 


196  MEMOIRS    OF 

before,  were  vociferating,  Vive  PEmpereur !  were 
now  sending  in  their  adhesions  to  Louis  XVIII.  and 
exclaiming,  Vioe  le  Roi  J — So  far  from  volunteer- 
ing, they  refused  to  comply  with  the  military  drafts 
that  were  made. 

The  disaffection  of  the  few  is  easily  checked, 
when  the  public  functionaries  discharge  the  neces- 
sary duties  devolved  upon  them;  but  so  far  were 
the  legislative  and  judiciary  powers  of  the  state, 
from  calling  in  the  power  of  law  to  check  the  grow- 
ing discontent,  that  they  encouraged  it  by  con- 
niving at  it.  Governor  Claiborne  did  every  thing 
which  a  patriotic  and  vigilant  executive  could  dis- 
charge ;  but  a  majoritij  of  the  legislature,  nerveless, 
timorous  and  desponding,  hung  upon  him  like  an 
incubus,  and  paralized  all  his  exertions.  In  regard 
to  this  house  of  assembly,  the  governor  might  have 
said,  "  mine  enemies  are  those  of  n)y  own  house- 
hold." 

From  the  police  of  the  city  of  New-Orleans,  no 
more  hopes  could  be  derived  than  from  the  majori- 
ty of  the  legislature  of  the  state;  and  some  of  its 
inhabitants  were  carrying  on  a  treacherous  inter- 
course with  the  enemy.  The  writer  would  not  so 
confidently  have  stated  the  facts  contained  in  this 
chapter,  unless  he  had  in  his  possession  indubitable 
evidence  of  their  accuracy.  From  the  mass  of 
testimony,  the  following  is  selected  from  the  corres- 
pondence between  Gov.  Claiborne  and  Gen.  Jack- 


^ 


ANDREW    JACKSON. 


lor 


son.  In  one  letter  the  governor  says,  "  On  a  late 
occasion  I  had  the  mortification  to  acknowledge  my 
inability  to  meet  a  reqnisition  from  Gen.  Flournoy; 
the  corps  of  this  city  having  for  the  most  part  re- 
sisted my  orders,  being  encouraged  in  their  diso- 
bedience by  the  legislature  of  the  state,  then  in 
session  ;  one  branch  of  which,  the  senate,  having 
declared  the  requisition  illegal  and  oppressive,  and 
the  house  of  representatives  having  rejected  a  pro- 
position to  approve  the  measure.  How  far  I  shall 
be  supported  in  my  late  orders,  remains  yet  to  be 
proved.  I  have  reason  to  calculate  upon  the  patri- 
otism of  the  interior  and  western  counties.  I  know 
also  that  there  are  many  faithful  citizens  in  New- 
Orleans  :  but  there  are  others,  in  whose  attachment 
to  the  United  States  I  ought  not  to  confide.  Upon 
the  whole,  sir,  I  cannot  disguise  the  fact,  that  if 
Louisiana  should  be  attacked,  we  must  principally 
depend  for  security  upon  the  prompt  movements  of 
the  regular  force  under  your  command,  and  the 
militia  of  the  western  states  and  territories.  At 
this  moment  we  are  in  a  very  unprepared  and  de- 
fenceless condition  ;  several  important  points  of 
defence  remain  unoccupied,  and  in  case  of  a  sudden 
attack,  this  capital  would,  I  fear,  fall  an  easy  sac- 
rifice." 

In  another  letter  he  most  impressively  remarks — 
••  Inclosed   you   have  copies  of  my  late  general  or- 
ders.    They  may,  and  I  trust  will  be  obeyed;  but 
R2 


198  MEMOIRS    OP 

to  this  moment,  my  fellow-citizens  have  not  mani- 
fested all  that  union  and  zeal  the  crisis  demands, 
and  their  own  safety  requires.  There  is  in  this 
city  a  much  greater  spirit  of  disaifection  than  1  had 
anticipated  ;  and  among  the  faithful  Louisianians, 
there  is  a  despondency  which  palsies  ail  my  prepa- 
rations ;  they  see  no  strong  regular  force,  around 
which  they  could  rally  with  confidence,  and  they 
seem  to  think  themselves  not  within  the  reach  of 
seasonable  assistance,  from  the  western  states,  I 
am  assured,  sir,  you  will  make  the  most  judicious 
disposition  of  the  forces  under  your  command  ;  but 
excuse  me  for  suggesting,  that  the  presence  of  the 
seventh  regiment,  at  or  near  New-Orleans,  will 
have  the  most  salutary  effect.  The  garrison  here  at 
present,  is  alarmingly  weak,  and  is  a  cause  of  much 
regret:  from  the  great  mixture  of  persons,  and 
characters,  in  this  city,  we  have  as  much  to  appre- 
hend from  within  as  from  without.  In  arresting  the 
intercourse  between  New-Orleans  and  Ptnsacola, 
you  have  done  right.  Pensacola  is  in  fact,  an  ene- 
my's post,  and  had  our  commercial  intercourse  with 
it  continued,  the  supplies  furnished  to  the  enemy, 
would  have  so  much  exhausted  our  own  stock  of 
provisions,  as  to  have  occasioned  the  most  serious 
inconvenience  to  ourselves. 

I  was  on  the  point  of  taking  on  myself  the  pro- 
hibition of  the  trade  with  Pensacola:  I  had  prepar- 
ed a  proclamation  to  that  elft'ct,  and  would  have 


ANDKEW   JACKSOK.  199 

issued  it  the  very  day  I  heard  of  your  interposition^ 
Enemies  to  the  country,  may  blame  you  for  your 
prompt  and  energetic  measures ;  but,  in  the  per* 
son  of  every  patriot  you  will  find  a  supporter.  I 
am  very  confident  of  the  very  lax  police  of  this  city, 
and  indeed,  throughout  the  state,  with  respect  to 
the  visits  of  strangers.  I  think  with  you,  that  our 
country  is  filled  with  spies  and  traitors.  I  have 
written  pressingly  on  the  subject,  to  the  city  au- 
thorities and  parish  judges — I  hope  some  efliicient 
regulations  will  speedily  be  adopted  by  the  first, 
and  more  vigilance  exerted  for  the  future,  by  the 
latter.*' 

In  a  third  letter,  the  governor  observes — «  The 
only  difficulty  I  have  hitherto  experienced,  in  meet- 
ing the  requisition,  has  been  in  this  city,  and  exclu- 
sively from  some  European  Frenchmen,  who,  after 
giving  their  adhesion  to  Louis  XVIII.  have, 
through  the  medium  of  the  French.consul,  claimed 
exemption  from  the  drafts,  as  French  subjects.  The 
question  of  exemption,  however,  is  now  under  dis- 
cussion, before  a  special  court  of  inquiry,  and  I  am 
not  without  hopes,  that  these  ungrateful  men,  may 
yet  be  brought  to  a  discharge  of  their  duties. 

You  have  been  informed  of  the  contents  of  an 
intercepted  letter,  written  by  Col.  Coliel,  a  Spanish 
officer,  to  Capt.  Morales,  of  Pensacola.  This  letter 
was  submitted  for  the  opinion  of  the  attorney  gene- 
ral c7f  the  state,  as  to  the  measures  to  be  pursued 


200  MEMOIRS   OF 

against  the  writer.  The  attorney  general  was  of 
opinion,  that  the  courts  could  take  no  cognizance  of 
the  same;  but  that  the  governor  might  order  the 
writer  to  leave  the  state,  and  in  case  of  refusal,  to 
send  him  off  by  force.  I  accordingly,  sir,  ordered 
Coi  Coliel  to  take  his  departure,  in  forty-eight 
hours,  for  Pensacola,  and  gave  liim  the  necessary 
passports.  I  hope,  this  measure  may  meet  your  ap- 
probation. It  is  a  just  retaliation  for  the  conduct 
lately  observed  by  the  governor  of  Pensacola,  and 
may  induce  the  Spaniards  residing  among  us,  to  be 
less  communicative  upon  those  subjects  which  relate 
to  our  military  movements." 

In  another  letter,  this  patriotic  chief-magistrate 
says  to  Gen.  Jackson,  *' If  Louisiana  is  invaded,  I 
shall  put  myself  at  the  head  of  such  of  my  militia  as 
will  follow  me  to  the  fie'd,  and  on  receivmg,  shall 
obey  your  orders.''  It  will  be  reiaembered  that  the 
venerable  Gov.  Shelby,  of  Kentucky,  served  under 
Maj.  Gen.  Harrison,  when  he  obtained  his  signal 
victory  over  Gen.  Proctor.  In  addition  to  this  ex- 
plicit evidence,  furnished  by  Gov.  Claiborne, Charles 
K.  Blanchard,  Esq.  writes  to  Gen.  Jackson  thus — 
'*  Quarter-Master  Peddle,  of  the  British  army,  ob- 
served [to  me,]  that  the  commanding  officers  of  the 
British  forces,  were  daily  in  the  receipt  of  every  in- 
formation from  the  city  of  New-Orleans,  which  they 
might  require  in  aid  of  their  operations,  for  the 
completion  of  the  objects  of  the  expedition  ; — that 


ANDREW  JACKS05?.  ^201 

they  were  perfectly  acquainted  with  the  situation  of 
every  part  of  our  forces,  the  manner  in  which  the 
same  was  situated,  the  number  of  our  fortifications, 
their  strength,  position,  ^Scc.  He  furthermore  sta- 
ted, that  the  above  information  was  received  from 
persons  in  the  cily  of  New-Orleans,  from  whom  he 
could  at  any  hourj  procure  every  information  neces* 
sary  to  promote  his  majesty's  interest ! !" 

I  have  been  Ihus  particular  in  describing  the  situ- 
ation in  which  Gen.  Jackson  found  the  citizens  of 
Louisiana,  its  legislature,  and  its  capital,  upon  his 
arrival  there,  early  in  December,  1814,  because  it 
induced,  and  indeed,  compelled  him  to  resort  to  a 
measure  which  had  never  before  been  resorted  to  in 
the  Republic,  since  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution, 

THE     DECLARATION    OF    MARTIAi    LAW.       TWs    tOOk 

place  on  the  16th  of  the  month,  twenty-three  days 
before  the  splendid  victory,  which  secured  the  city  of 
New-Orleans  and  the  states  bordering  upon  the  Mis- 
sissippi, from  the  rapacity  of  an  enemy,  whose  prin- 
ciples of  warfare,  had  been  demonstrated,  upon  the 
western  frontier,  at  Havre  de  Grace,  at  Hampton, 
and  at  Washington ! 

The  proceedings  of  the  legislature  were  suspend- 
ed. But  let  the  majority  of  the  membersj  who 
then  constituted  it,  remember,  that  the  suspension 
of  their  civil  power,  was  occasioned  by  their  resist- 
ance of  a  legal  military  power.  Gen.  Jackson  had 
been  loo  long  in  the  discharge  of  the  highest  civil 


MEMOIRS    OF 

functions,  not  to  acknowledge  the  superiority  of  the 
civil,  over  the  military  power.  He  had  been  too 
long  in  military  life,  to  be  ignorant  of  the  duties  of 
aD  American  General,  to  whom  was  committed  the 
defence  of  a  district,  the  safety  of  which  was  para- 
mount to  every  other  consideration. 

The  citizens  of  New-Orleans,  and  its  environs, 
were,  for  a  few  days  deprived  of  their  accustomed 
privileges.  But  the  patriotic  part  of  them,  endured 
the  deprivation  with  pleasure,  since  it  prohibited 
the  perfidious  and  traitorous  part  of  them,  from 
holding  an  intercourse  with  the  enemy,  calculated 
to  aid  theui  in  the  subjugation  of  it. 

Gen.  Jackson  had  been  incessantly  engaged,  since 
his  arrival,  in  selecting  the  most  commanding  scites 
for  fortifications,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi. 
Fort  St.  Philips,  was  selected  as  the  most  eligible 
one,  and  Maj.  W.  H.  Overton,  was  appointed  to 
the  command  of  it.  His  gallant  defence  of  it,  will 
constitute  a  subsequent  article  in  these  memoirs. 
The  naval  force  near  New -Orleans,  consisted  of 
small  gun-vessels,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Pat- 
terson. The  gallantry,  not  to  say  desperation,  \\  ith 
which  they  were  defended,  more  properly  belongs 
to  the  naval  chronicle  than  to  this  work. 

From  the  16th  to  the  22d  December,  the  gene- 
ral, by  his  animation,  vigilance,  and  exertions, 
seemed  to  magnify  his  little  phalanx  into  a  host,  and 
to  dissipate  the  despondency  that  pervaded  the  citi« 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  203 

2ens,  by  the  confidence  his  presence  excited.     Upon 
the  last  mentioned  day,  the  reinforcements  from 
Tennessee,  under  Generals  Carroll  and  Coflce,  had 
arrived.     Those  under  G<jn.  Coilee,  were,  the  most 
of  them,  the  same  men  who  had  encamped  at  Fort 
St.  Stephens,  two  months  previous,  and  who  were 
present  at  the  capture  of  Pensacola,  upon  the  7th 
November.     From  the  time   they  left  Tennessee, 
to  the   time  they  encamped  at  New-Orleans,  they 
had   marched  over  800  miles!    The  troops  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  Carroll,  were  those  recejitly 
raised    by  order  of  Gov.  Blount,  and  but    few   of 
them  had   seen   any  service.     They   had   suddenly 
repaired  to  their  rendezvous  at  home  ;  immediately 
entered  the  water  craft  in  the  Mississippi,  and  had 
no  opportunity  to  study  even  the  first  principles  of 
military  tactics,  before  they  were  called  to  face  a 
veteran    foe,    ?^hose    prowess    was    acknowledged 
through  the  world.     The  Mississippi  dragoons  Dad 
also  arrived,  under  the  command  of  their  accom- 
plished leader,   Maj.  Hinris;  and  this  heterogenous 
mass  of  ritizrn-sotdicrs,  was  converted,  as  by  maii.ic, 
into  an  army,  whose  achievenents  under  their  great 
leader,  Gen  Jarkson,  will  now  be  detailed.    At  this 
period,  the    Kentucky   troops,  raised    by  order  of 
Gov.  Shelby,  and  commanded  by  Maj.  Gen.  Thom- 
as, had  not  arrived  at  New-Orleans. 

Previous   to  the  23cl,  the  gun- vessels  had  been 
captured    by  the  enemy,  with   an  overw^helming 


soli  MEMOIRS   OF 

force,  after  a  defence  hy  Lieut.  Thos.  Ap.  Catesby 
Jones,  which  "  reflects  ad^litional  splendour  on  our 
naval  glory,  and  diminishes  the  regret  felt  by  their 
loss."* 

Upon  the  23d,  Maj.  Gen.  Keene  landed  nine 
miles  below  New-Orleans,  with  3000  Dien,  inured 
to  arms,  and  Gen.  Jackson,  with  Itss  than  half  that 
number  of  men,  mostly  militia,  immediately  march- 
ed to  give  him  battle.  His  account  of  the  contest 
follows. 

MAJ.  GEN.  JACKSON  TO  HON.  JAMES  MONROE. 
Camp,  below  New-Orleans,  Dec.  27,  1814!. 

Sir — The  loss  of  our  gun-boats  near  the  pass  of 
the  Rii^oltls,  having  given  the  enen)y  consmand  of 
lake  Borgne,  he  was  enabled  to  choose  his  point  of 
attack.  l!  btcame  thereiore  an  object  of  import- 
ance, to  obstruct  the  numerous  bayous  and  canals, 
leading  from  that  lake  to  the  highlands  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi. This  important  service  was  committed,  in 
the  first  instance,  to  a  detachment  of  the  Tth  regi- 
ment, afterwards  to  Col.  Dt-  Laronde,  of  the  Lou- 
isiana militia,  and  lastly,  to  n)akeall  sure,  to  Maj. 
Gen.  Villere,  commanding  the  district  lietween  the 
river  and  the  lakes,  and  who  bein^  a  native  of  the 
countjy,  was  prtsumetl  to  be  best  acquainted  wilh 
all  those  passes.  Unfortunately,  howe\  er,  a  picquet 
which  the  general  had   established  at  th(  nmuth  of 

*  Vide  Capt.  Patterson's  and  Lieut.  Jones's  official  reports. 


ANDREW    JACKSONfo  205 

the  bayou  Bienvenu,  and  which,  notwithstanding 
my  orders,  iiad  been  left  unobstructed,  was  com* 
pletely  surprised,  and  the  enemy  penetrated 
through  a  canal  leading  to  his  farm,  about  two 
leagues  below  the  city,  and  succeeded  in  cuttin^^  off 
a  company  of  militia  stationed  there.  This  intelli- 
gence was  communicated  to  me  about  12  o'clock  of 
the  23d.  My  force  at  this  time,  consisted  of  parts 
of  the  rih  atid  44itii  regiments,  not  exceeding  six 
hundred  together,  the  city  militia,  a  part  of  Gen. 
CoiTee's  brigade  of  mounted  gunmen,  and  the  de- 
tached militia  from  the  vwestern  division  of  Ten* 
nessee,  under  the  command  of  Aldj.  Gen.  Carroll. 
These  two  last  corps  were  stationed  4  miles  above  the 
city.  Apprehending:  a  double  attack  by  the  way  of 
Chief-Menteur,  I  lift  Gen.  Carroll's  force  and  the 
militia  of  the  city,  posted  on  the  Gentilly  road; 
and  at  five  o'clock  P.  M.  marched  to  meet  the  ene- 
my, whom  I  was  resolved  to  attack  in  his  first  posi- 
tion, with  Maj.  Hinds'  dragoons,  Gen.  Coiiee's  bri- 
gade, parts  of  the  Tth  and  Mth  regiments,  the  uni- 
formed companies  of  militia,  under  the  command 
of  Maj.  Planche,  200  men  of  colour,  chiefly  from 
St.  Domingo,  raised  by  Col.  Savary^  and  acting 
under  the  command  of  Maj.  Dagwin,  and  a  de- 
tachment of  artillery  under  the  direction  of  Col. 
M'Rhea,  with  two  6  pounders,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieut.  Spotts;  not  exceeding  in  all,  1500. 
I  arrived  near  the  enemy's  encampment  about  sev- 


206  BiEMOiRs  or 

en,  and  immediately  made  my  dispositions  for  the 
attack.  His  forces  amounting  at  that  time  on 
land,  to  about  3000,  extended  half  a  mile  on  that 
river,  and  in  the  rear  nearly  to  the  wood.  Gen. 
Coffee  was  ordered  to  turn  their  right,  while  with 
the  residue  of  the  force,  I  attacked  his  strongest  po- 
sition on  the  left,  near  the  river.  Com.  Patterson, 
having  dropped  down  the  river  in  the  schooner 
Caroline,  was  directed  to  open  a  fire  upon  their 
camp,  which  he  executed  at  about  half  past  seven. 
This  being  a  signal  of  attack,  Gen.  Coffee's  men, 
with  their  usual  impetuosity,  rushed  on  the  ene- 
my's right,  and  entered  their  camp,  u  hlle  our  right 
advanced  with  equal  ardour.  There  can  be  but  lit- 
tle doubt,  that  we  should  have  succeeded  on  that 
occasion,  with  our  inferior  force,  in  destroying  or 
capturing  the  enemy,  had  not  a  thick  fog  which 
arose  about  8  o'clock,  occasioned  some  confusion 
among  the  different  corps.  Fearing  the  conse- 
quence, under  this  circumstance,  of  the  further 
prosecution  of  a  night  attack,  with  troops  then  act- 
ing together  for  the  first  time,  I  contented  myself 
with  lying  on  the  field  that  night;  and  at  four  in 
the  morning  assumed  a  stronger  position,  about 
two  miles  nearer  the  city.  At  this  position  I  re- 
mained encamped,  waiting  the  arrival  of  the  Ken- 
tucky militia  and  other  reinforcements.  As  the 
safety  of  the  city  will  depend  on  the  fate  of  this  ar 
ray,  it  must  not  be  incautiously  exposed. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  207 

In  this  affair  the  whole  corps  under  my  com- 
mand, deserve  the  greatest  credit.  The  best  com- 
pliment I  can  pay  to  Gen.  Coffee  and  his  brigade, 
is  to  say,  they  have  behaved  as  they  have  always 
done,  w  hile  under  my  command.  The  Tth  Jed  by 
Maj.  Pierre,  and  44!th,  commanded  by  Col.  Ross, 
distinguished  themselves.  The  battalion  of  city 
militia  commanded  by  Maj.  Planche,  realized  ray 
anticipations,  and  behaved  like  veterans.  Savary's 
volunteers  manifested  great  bravery  ;  and  tlie  com- 
pany of  city  riflemen,  having  penetrated  into  the 
midst  of  the  enemy's  camp,  were  surrounded,  and 
fought  their  way  out  with  the  greatest  heroism, 
bringing  with  them  a  number  of  prisoners.  The 
two  field  pieces  were  well  served  by  the  officers 
commanding  them. 

Ail  my  officers  in  the  line  did  their  duty,  and  I 
have  every  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  the  whole  of 
my  field  and  staff.  Cols.  Butler  and  Piatt,  and 
Miij.  Chotard,  by  their  intrepidity,  saved  the  artil- 
lery. Col.  Haynes  was  every  where  that  duty  or 
danger  called.  I  was  deprived  of  the  services  of 
one  of  my  aids,  Capt.  Butler,  whom  I  was  obliged 
to  station,  to  his  great  regret,  in  town.  Capt.  Reid, 
my  other  aid,  and  JVIessrs.  Livingston,  Duplissis, 
and  Davizcic,  who  had  volunteered  their  services, 
faced  danger  wherever  it  was  to  be  met,  and  carri- 
ed my  orders  with  the  utmost  promptitude. 

We  made  one  Major,  two  subalterns,  and  sixty- 


;^8  MEMOiHs  or 

three  privates  prisoners;  and  the  enemy's  loss  in 

killed  and  wounded  must  have  been  at  least . 

My  own  loss  I  have  not  as  yet  been  able  to  ascer- 
tain with  exactness,  but  suppose  it  to  amount  to 
100  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  Among  the 
former,  I  have  to  lament  the  loss  of  Col.  Lauder- 
dale,  of  Gen.  Colleens  brigade,  who  fell  while 
bravely  fighting.  Cols.  Dyer  and  Gibson,  of  the 
same  corps,  were  wounded,  and  Maj.  Kavenaugh 
taken  prisoner. 

Col.  De  I.aronde,  IVlaj.  Villere,  of  the  Louisiana 
militia,  Maj.  Latour,  of  engineers,  having  no  com- 
snand,  volunteered  their  services,  as  did  Drs.  Kerr 
and  Hood,  and  were  of  great  assistance  to  me. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

Hon,  James  Monroe,  Secretary  of  War, 

Since  the  civilized  world  have  made  the  trade  of 
war  a  science,  perhaps  no  two  armies  ever  met  and 
separated,  with  opinions  so  different  of  each,  as 
those  of  Gen.  Jackson  and  Gen.  Keene,  on  the  23d. 
The  §rst,  consisting  of  a  small  number  of  regular 
troops,  and  the  rest  of  gentlemen  and  yeomen,  who 
had  spent  their  days  amidst  the  scenes  of  peace, 
the  whole  amounting  only  to  1500,  must  have  met 
a  veteran  army  of  3000,  in  fit;ld  fight,  with  foiebo* 
dinejs  bordering  upon  (hspair.  The  second,  con- 
scious of  great  superiority  in.  numbers,   in.  difci- 


ANDREW    JACKSON. 


200 


pline,  and  in  experience,  marched  to  the  contest 
with  contempt  for  their  enemy,  and  a  certainty  of 
making  them  their  prey.  The  battle  gave  to  the 
jBrst,  confidence — to  the  second,  it  taught  caution. 

As  the  general,  in  his  official  report,  does  not 
mention  the  number  the  enemy  lost,  I  extract  from 
Insp.  Gen.  Haynes'  report,  "  Killed^  left  on  the  field 
of  battle,  iQO— Wounded,  left  on  the  field  of  battle, 
2^0^Prisoners,  70.  Total,  400."  The  loss  in 
the  American  forces,  were — Killed,  24!— Wounded, 
n5-Missing,  74.     Total,  213. 


S2 


^0.  MEMOIRS    or 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Benevolent  exertions  of  tlie  Ladies  of  New-Orleans — Geu.  Jackscn 
selects  the  final  position  of  his  army — Loss  of  Uie  naval  force — 
Capt.  Patterson—  Lifut  Jones — Harmony  between  land  and  naval 
forces— Defence  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi — American  lines 
ou  the  east  and  west  side  of  the  river  described — Battle  of  the  28th 
December— of  the  1st  January— Attempt  upon  the  left  wing  of  the 
American  armj. 

The  hattie  of  the  2Si\  December,  although  by 
310  means  a  decisive  one,  produced  those  effects 
which  led  to  ultimate  victory.  The  despondency 
of  the  citizens  was  converted  into  hope,  and  the 
undisciplined  troops  of  the  Republic,  presented  **  c 
rampart  of  high  minded  and  brave  menJ^ 

From  the  romantic  ai^^e  of  chivalry  to  this  period 
of  the  world,  the  defence  of  the  fair  sex  has  been 
the  pride  of  the  warrior,  and  their  approving  sen- 
tence one  of  his  liighest  rewards.  The  Jadies  of 
N^w-Orleans,  not  content  merely  to  bestow  their 
applause  and  their  smiles  upon  their  defenders,  ex- 
erted ali  their  faculties  to  ameliorate  the  hardships 
they  endured,  and  to  relieve  them  from  the  priva- 
tions they  sudfered.  Clothing  of  a  necessary  kind, 
was  furni«hed  to  a  large  amount  for  the  troops, 
who,  from  long  service  and  absence  from  home, 
iound  it  a  most  seasonable  supply.    Almost  con 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  21^ 

atant  exposure  to  the  inclemency  of  the  season,  ren- 
dered an  additional  supply  of  clothing  a  comfort  to 
the  war-worn  veteran,  which  he  knows  well  how  to 
appreciate.  Imitating  the  exalted  benevolence  of 
the  American  matrons  and  daughters,  in  the  gloomy 
period  of  the  revolution,  the  females  of  tiie  city  be- 
caaie  ministering  angels  to  the  wants  of  their  heroic 
protectors.  The  historian  will  immediately  recol- 
lect, that  the  women  of  ancient  Carthage,  in  a  time 
of  danger,  divested  themselves  of  their  flowing  locks, 
and  converted  them  into  cordage,  to  aid  the  com- 
mon defence.  While  the  achievements  of  female 
Amazons,  rather  excite  disgust  than  applause,  the- 
refined  benevolence  of  the  tender  sex,  commands  the 
admiration  of  men  ;  and  even  angels  must  witness  it 
with  a  smile  of  complacency. 

Notwithstanding  the  rigorous  execution  of  mar- 
tial law,  over  citizens  as  well  as  soldiers,  thcsuJIen 
murmurs  of  the  disaffected  were  drowned  by  the 
applause  of  the  patriotic.  All  was  animation  in 
the  camp — all  was  confidence  in  the  city.  General 
Jackson  was  in  daily,  indeed  in  hourly  expectation 
11  a  renewed  attack  from  the  enemy.  Although 
the  American  troops  remained  upon  the  field  of  bat- 
tle until  the  24jlh,  yet  (be  disadvantages  of  the  situa- 
tion, and  the  continuance  of  the  enemy  in  their  first 
position  where  they  landed,  with  nearly  treble  his 
force,  induced  him  to  fail  back  nearer  to  the  city^ 
Otfeiibivc   operation&j    under  these   circurastancesa 


2i2  MEMOIRS    OF 

would  have  been  rashness  bordering  upon  despera- 
tion. 

Although  from  the  gallant  achievenients  of  his 
^ops  upon  the  23(1,  Gen.  Jackson  had  every  thing 
^pe  from  them,  yet  he  did  not,  as  has  often 
mJ^  the  case  in  modern  warfare,  consider  men  as 
ammunitioiu  to  I)e  expended  at  pleasure,  to  grace 
the  coninvander  with  laurels.  His  language  to  Mr. 
Monroe  was — ^'  A>i  the  safety  of  this  city  will  depend 
on  the  fate  of  this  arniif,  it  must  not  be  incautiously 
exposed^  He  selected  the  most  advantageous  po- 
sition, upon  the  east  bank  of  the  iAlississippi,  and 
commenced  a  system  of  defence,  which  will  for  ever 
give  him  an  exalted  rank  among  the  great  com- 
manders of  the  nineteenth  century.  Although,  to 
use  his  own  expressions,  for  which  our  copious  lan- 
guage can  with  difficulty  furnish  a  substitute — 
*'  The  surest  defence,  that  seldom  fails  of  success,  is 
a  rampart  of  high-minded  and  brave  men*'^ — he  acted, 
in  every  situation,  as  if  he  was  accountable  to  his 
country  and  his  God,  for  the  life  of  every  man  tliat 
was  lost,  who  fought  under  his  standard. 

After  the  loss  of  the  small  flotilla  under  Lieut. 
Jones,  there  was  no  naval  defence  but  the  schooner 
Caroline,  and  she  was  placed  in  a  situation,  which, 
owing  to  the  current  of  the  Mississippi,  and  the 
course  of  the  winds,  rendered  her  an  easy  prey  to 
the  enemy.  Her  gallant  crew,  however,  defended 
her  until  the  red  hot  balls  thrown  from  the  enemy's 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  SIS 

battery,  set  her  on  fire  and  bfew  her  up,  upon  the 
27ih,  Capt.  Patterson,  and  ail  his  officers  and  men> 
immediately  placed  themselves  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  Jackson,  and  by  their  consummate  skill  in 
gunnery,  rendered  most  essential  service  in  the  land 
batteries.  I  cannot  omit  a  brief  extract  from  Capt* 
Patterson's  letter  to  the  Navy  Department,  dated 
2rth  January,  1815. — *  I  have  received  from  all 
the  olhcers  whom  1  have  the  honour  to  command, 
every  aid  and  si>pport  which  could  possibly  be  ren- 
dered. They  have  been  exposed  to  extraordinary 
hardships,  both  by  day  and  night,  to  all  the  chan- 
ges of  this  unstable  clime,  in  this  inclement  season 
of  the  year ;  performing  the  most  arduous  duties 
on  shore,  out  of  the  line  of  their  profession,  inde- 
pendent of  their  ordinary  duties;  and  all  has  been 
done  and  executed,  with  a  cheerfulness  and  alacrity 
that  reflects  upon  them  the  highest  credit ;  and  that 
the  unwearied  exertions  of  the  small  naval  force  on 
this  station,  from  the  first  appearance  of  the  enemy, 
has  contributed,  in  a  great  decree,  to  his  expulsioHj 
is  freely  acknowledged  by  the  gallant  general,  com- 
manding the  land  forces."  The  officers  mentioned 
in  this  letter,  are  Captain  Henley;  Lieuts.  Alexis^ 
Thompson,  Norris,  and  Ciinningham  ;  Mr.  Purser 
Shields,  Dr.  Morrell,  sailing-master  Dealy,  surgeon 
Heermun,  navy  agent  Smith;  Maj.  Cormick,  com- 
manding the  marine  corps;  Mr.  Sheph^ird,  aid-de- 
camp ;    Lieut.  Nevitt,  volunteer;    acting   Lieuts* 


214f  MEMOIRS    OF 

Spedflin  and  M'Keever.  He  further  says, — "My 
petty  officers,  seamen,  and  marines,  performed  their 
duties  to  my  entire  satisfaction." 

It  has  already  been  mer)tioned  that  the  gun  boats, 
commanded  by  Lieut.  Jones,  were  captured  upon 
the  14<th,  and  the  commander  severely  wounded. 
His  force  was  gun-boats  Nos.  5.  23,  156,  162,  and 
163 — the  whole  mounting  23  guns,  and  having  183 
men  on  board.  The  British  for(  e  that  attacked  this 
little  gallant  flotilla,  consisted  of  45  boats.  42  guns, 
and  1200  men,  commanded  by  Capt.  Lockyer,  whose 
loss  in  killed  and  wounded  exceeded  300  men  ;  and 
he  received  three  severe  wounds  himself.  Upon 
I.ieut.  Jones  Capt.  Patterson  bestows  the  highest 
applause,  and  most  deservedly  too ;  for,  consider- 
ing tlie  species  of  force  he  had  under  his  command, 
and  the  immense  superiority  of  the  enemy,  his  gal- 
lantry is  scarcely  exceeded  by  any  officer  in  our 
navy. 

It  ought  to  be  mentioned,  whenever  an  opportu- 
nity occurs,  as  a  fict  which  entitles  the  command- 
ers of  the  land  and  naval  forces  of  the  Republic  to 
infinite  credit,  that  in  every  instance,  excepting  one, 
-^vhere  they  could  act  in  conjunction  in  conquering 
the  enemy,  the  utmost  harmony  prevailed.  Gen. 
Harrison  and  Captain  Perry— Gen.  Macomb  and 
Capt.  Macdonough — Gen.  Jackson  and  Capt.  Pat- 
terson, went  hand  in  hand  to  victory.  Although 
in  the  last  instance^  the  captain  was  compelled   to 


ANDREW    JACKSON,  215 

leave  his  chosen  element,  with  his  gallant  crews,  he 
joined  the  army,  and  aided  in  the  final  victory. 

The  various  passes  at  the  mouth  of  the  Missis- 
sippi were  guarded  in  the  best  possible  manner,  by 
different  forts;  and  considering  the  short  time  al- 
lowed to  construct  them,  and  the  few  men  only  who 
could  be  spared  to  garrison  them,  their  defences  en- 
title the  garrisons  to  the  highest  applause.  Major 
Overfon,  at  Fort  St.  Philips,  determining  never  to 
surrender,  actually  nailed  the  American  flag  to  his 
standard,  and  resolved  that  it  should  triumphantly 
wave  over  that  of  Britain,  as  long  as  a  living  man 
remained  in  the  fort  to  defend  it.  The  troops  at 
the  mouths  of  the  river,  were  as  much  inspired  with 
fortitude  by  the  addresses  and  examples  of  General 
Jackson,  as  those  under  his  immediate  command. 
Having  these  forts,  as  well  as  the  current  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi to  oppose,  the  British  atimiral  was  prevented 
from  bringing  any  of  his  larger  vessels  to  co-operate 
with  the  land  forces,  in  their  various  attacks  upon 
the  American  lines.  Had  he  been  enabled  to  eflect 
this,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  the  city  could 
have  been  saved. 

Upon  the  241  h,  Gen.  Jackson  took  his  final  posi- 
tion. It  extended  in  a  direct  line  from  the  east 
bank  of  the  Mississippi,  into  the  edge  of  the  Cuprus 
Srvamp,  a  distance  exceeding  a  mile.  For  the  whole 
distance,  the  troops  almost  incessantly  laboured, 
and  with  a  vigour  worthy  of  the  cause  that  called 


316  MEMOIRS    Of 

forth  their  laborious  exertions,  in  throwing  up  a 
strong  breast-work,  unrler  the  protection  of  which 
they  were  to  be  intrenched.  From  the  t)ank  of  the 
river  to  the  edge  of  the  Cypress  Swamp,  a  distance 
of  very  near  a  mile,  the  country  was  a  perfect  plain. 
The  small  force  under  Gen.  Jackson,  were  in  full 
view  of  the  vastly  superior  force  in  the  British 
camp.  Although  they  had  received  a  check  in  the 
brilliant  affair  of  the  23d,  it  would  seem  to  be  the 
result  of  infatuation  itself,  that  they  remained  un- 
moved spectators  of  the  measures  of  defence,  the 
American  commander  was  taking,  which,  if  prose- 
cuted to  completion,  would  rentier  them  hopeless  of 
success.  It  is  h'lzardous  jddgirig  from  appearance, 
w  ithi)ut  a  know  ie.dy:e  of  motives  ;  but  the  conduct  of 
the  British  army,  at  this  time,  would  seem  to  justify 
the  application  to  them,  of  a  position  maintained 
for  agjes  — "  ^/^f-m  Deus  perdert^  vulty  prius  denwU' 
t at^' —{suiom  God  wills  to  destroy,  he  first  makes 
mad.) 

Adjoining  the  river,  and  in  advance  of  the  main 
work,  a  redoubt  was  formed  to  protect  the  right 
wing  of  the  army,  upon  which  were  mounted  a 
number  of  pieces  of  heavy  artilh  ry.  Through  the 
whole  line  were  mounted,  at  proper  distances,  can- 
non from  six  to  thirty-two  pounders.  The  breast- 
work was  extended  from  450  to  500  yards  into  the 
swamp,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  turning  the  left 
wing  of  the  army.     This  part  of  the  iutrenchment. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  2t7 

was  constructed  with  extreme  difficulty,  and  with 
excessive  fatigue  ;  being  erected  in  a  morass,  almost 
impassable  from  the  depth  of  the  mud  and  water. 
It  was  wisely  supposed  that  the  British  commander 
would  CGWiclude  that  the  American  intrenchment, 
reached  only  to  the  edge  of  the  swamp  ;  and  that 
he  would  endeavour  to  force  a  passage  through  it, 
and  gain  the  rear  of  the  American  army.  At  the 
immediate  edge  of  the  swamp,  an  angular  indent 
was  made  in  the  intrenchment,  upon  which  heavy 
pieces  of  artillery  were  placed  so  as  to  rake  the  ene- 
my in  the  swamp,  from  one  side  of  it,  and  in  the 
open  field,  from  the  other.  Every  hour's  labour 
increased  the  strength  of  the  intrenchment,  and 
every  event  that  transpired,  augmented  the  confi- 
dence of  the  troops.  Notwithstanding  the  rapidly 
increasing  security  of  his  small,  and  to  a  very  con- 
siderable amount  unarmed  troops,  Gen.  Jackson  en- 
deavoured to  provide  against  every  event,  that 
could  endanger  their  safety,  or  that  of  the  city. 
Admitting  the  possibility  that  the  British  army, 
from  their  great  superiority  in  numbers,  and  from 
the  numerous  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance  they  were 
constantly  transporting  in  barges,  from  their  ship- 
ping to  their  encampment,  might  force  his  lines,  he 
dispatched  the  whole  of  his  unarmed  men  two  miles 
in  his  rear,  to  erect  another  breast  work,  as  a  rally- 
ing point,  at  no  great  distance  from  the  city.  In 
this  way,  he  furnished  constant  employ  for  all  his 


218  MEMOIRS    Of 

men,   prevented  their  despondency,    and  aroused 
their  courage. 

Gen.  Jackson  was  aware  that  the  enemy's  main 
army  had  not  yet,  (Dec.  24?th,)  landed,  and  wholly 
uncertain  where  they  would  make  a  descent,  he 
took  the  same  measures  to  fortify  the  country  on 
the  west,  or  riirht  bank  of  the  river,  as  he  had  upon 
the  east,  or  left  bank.  An  intrenchment  was  there 
thrown  up  from  the  bank  of  the  river,  extending 
west  to  a  swamp,  which  approaches  nearer  to  the 
river  than  that  upon  the  east  side.  Gov.  Claiborne 
and  the  Louisiana  militia,  being  more  perfectly 
acquainted  with  the  country,  were  stationed  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  river.  The  gallant  Capt.  Patter- 
son and  his  crew  had  erected  a  battery  near  the 
bank  of  the  river,  and  to  the  main  intrenchment. 
This  intrenchment  was  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  below  that  on  the  left  bank;  and  being  sup- 
ported by  Patterson's  battery  and  his  crew,  whose 
skill  in  gunnery  was  evinced  in  ll  e  battle  of  the 
2'3d,  it  was  supposed  as  capable  of  sustaining  and 
repellins  an  assault,  as  that  on  the  left.  The  com- 
mand of  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  was  entrusted 
to  Gen,  Morgan,  and  a  force  placed  under  his  com- 
mand sufficient  to  render  it  as  secure  as  the  left. 

The  description  of  the  situation  of  the  American 
forces  after  the  23d,  and  the  measures  then  res  rted 
to  for  tuJure  safety,  may  hv  deemed  too  minute; 
but  it  will  shortly  be  shewn  that  more  than  two 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  219 

thirds  of  the  loss  sustained  by  the  Republican  army 
in  all  the  severe  engagements  before  New-Orleans, 
was  suffered  in  that  engagement  in  the  open  field. 
Had  Gen.  Jackson,  like  a  rash  commander,  led  his 
few  undisciplined,  and  badly  armed  forces,  Xo  field 
fight,  against  the  immensely  superior  force  of  Sir 
Edward  Pakenham,  furnishetl  with  every  material 
and  munition  of  war,  it  is  almost  a  certainty,  that 
he  and  his  army,  would  have  been  prostrated  upon 
the  same  plain  where  that  gallant  general,  and  so 
many  of  his  veteran  iroops  were  mingled  with  the 
dust.  The  great  and  good  Gen.  Jackson,  knew  that 
the  men  he  commanded,  were  not  mercenary  troops, 
hir&d  by  a  sanguinary  monarch,  to  fight  and  to  die 
at  the  pleasure  of  an  ambitious  commander.  His 
army,  though  small,  contained  the  best  blood  ixv 
the  adjoining  states.  Fathers  were  there,  exposing 
their  lives  for  their  families,  and  sons  were  there 
fighting  for  their  fathers.  To  return  them  home  to 
a  country  defended  by  their  valour,  and  to  restore 
them  to  blessings  secured  by  their  toils,  was  far 
more  grateful  to  his  heart,  than  laurels  obtained  by 
their  blood,  to  decorate  ^25  brows. 

From  the  24th  to  the  28th,  the  two  armies  re- 
mained in  the  position  each  had  taken.  Excepting 
the  destruction  of  the  schooner  Caroline,  and  occa- 
sional skirmishing,  nothing  was  heard  but  **  dread- 
ful notes  of  preparation."  Having  blown  up  this 
veg&el,  which  committed  such  ravages  among  their 


220  MEMOIRS   OP 

troops  upon  the  23d,  and  having  been  reinforced, 
Sir  Edward  Pakenham,  in  pergon,  attacked  the 
American  lines  upon  the  28th.  The  commander 
thus  describes  this  engagement,  in  his  report  to  the 
Secretary  of  War. 

GEN.  JACKSON  TO  HON.  JAMES  MONROE. 

Head-Quarters,  7th  Military  District, 
Campy  below  New-Orleans,  2^tfi  Dec.  1814. 

Sir— The  enemy  succeeded  on  the  27ih,  in  blow- 
ing up  the  Caroline,  (she  being  becalmed,)  by  means 
of  hot  shot  from  a  land  battery  which  he  had 
erected  in  the  night.  Em])oldened  by  this  event,  he 
marched  his  whole  force  the  next  day,  up  the  level, 
in  the  hope  of  driving  us  from  our  position,  and 
with  this  view,  opened  upon  us,  at  the  distance  of 
about  half  a  mile,  his  bombs  and  rockets.  He  was 
repulsed,  however,  with  considerable  loss — not  less, 
it  is  believed,  than  120  in  killed.  Our^s  was  incon- 
siderable— not  exceeding  half  a  dozen  in  killed,  and 
a  dozen  wounded. 

Since  then  he  has  not  ventured  to  repeat  his  at- 
tempt, though  lying  close  together.  There  has 
been  frequent  skirmishing  between  our  picquets. 

I  lament  that  I  have  not  Uie  means  of  carrying 
on  more  offensive  operations.  The  Kentucky  troops 
have  not  arrived,  and  my  effective  force  at  this 
point,  does  not  exceed  3(X)0.  Their^s  must  be 
at  least   double — both   prisoners   and  deserters  a- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  22i 

greeing  in  the  statement,  that  7000  landed  from 
their  boats.  ANDREW  JACKSON. 


In  this  brief  account,  it  is  mentioned  that  rockets 
and  bombs  were  sent  from  the  British  army  into  the 
American  lines.  Bombs  have  long  been  known  to 
our  countrymen  ;  and  although  they  sometimes  oc- 
casion accidents,  they  never  excite  terror.  Rockets 
are  of  recent  invention  ;  and  the  glory  of  having 
invented  them  is  for  ever  secured  by  royal  favour, 
to  an  English  statesman  by  the  name  of  Congreve* 
They  are  called  *'  Con2:reve  rockets;"  and  as  long 
as  Englishmen  are  permitted  to  spread  havoc  and 
devastation  through  the  world,  the  name  of  the 
humane  inventor  will  sound  and  shine  through  it. 
Monsieur  Guillotin  is  entitled  to  the  same  kind  of 
glory  for  having  invented  an  implement  of  death, 
which  bears  his  name,  and  to  which  he  fell  a  victim 
himself.  Mr.  Congreve  maij  die  a  natural  death. 
Gen.  Jackson's  intrenchment  Jiad  already  acquired 
too  much  strength,  and  his  '*/ampart  of  high-mind- 
ed and  brave  men,"  too  much  confidence,  to  be  af- 
fected with  any  thing  but  solid  iron  or  lead. 

Sir  Edward  found  in  this,  his  first  essay,  in  the 
western  world,  that  he  had  to  contend  with  other 
soldiers  than  those  of  despots,  who  detest  the  power 
they  fi2:ht  for.  He  had  to  contend  with  Republican 
Freemen,  each  of  whom  had  sacred  rights  to  defend ; 
T2 


^2i  MEMOIRS    07 

and  who  were  ready  to  sacrifice  their  lives,  in  de- 
fence of  their  beloved  Republic. 

From  the  28lh  to  the  1st  January,  the  enemy 
were  incessantly  rngaged  in  strenij;tlit'ning  their 
force,  by  transporting  heavy  pieces  of  artillery 
from  their  shipping  to  their  lines.  The  Americans 
were  no  less  industriously  engaged  in  preparing  to 
defend  theirs  against  the  most  furious  onset  that 
could  be  made. 

Upon  the  1st  of  January,  the  enemy  pushed  for- 
ward the  whole  of  their  heavy  artillery,  and  at  the 
same  time,  with  bombs  and  rockets,  commenced 
an  attack  upon  the  whole  line,  from  tlie  Mississippi 
to  the  Cypress  Swamp.  They  were  immediately 
answered  by  the  heavy  messengers  of  death  that 
were  planted  upon  the  extensive  intrenchment,  and 
by  the  rifles  and  muskets  that  were  wielded  by  the 
troops  who  were  secured  behind  it.  The  battle 
paged  until  the  approach  of  darkness  induced  the 
British  assailants  to  retire  to  their  lines  for  safetj^ 
The  enemy  were  repulsed  with  great  loss ;  but  hav- 
ing carried  their  dead  and  wounded  from  the  field, 
the  number  could  not  be  ascertained.     The  loss  of 

the  Americans  was Killed,    11— Wounded,  2Z. 

Total,  34. 

Convinced  that  an  attack  in  line,  couM  not  be 
made  with  any  hopes  of  success,  they  next  attempt- 
ed to  turn  the  left  wing  of  the  army,  by  means  of 
TL  battery  they  had  erected  in  the  night  season,  and 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  22S 

m  a  foggy  morning,  in  the  tdi2;e  of  the  Swamp. 
Confident  of  accomplishing  this  object— as  the  sun 
appeared  through  the  fog,  to  their  utter  astonish- 
ment and  consternation,  they  found  the  American 
intrenchment  completed  300  yards  beyond  their 
battery  in  the  Swamp,  and  the  gallant  Gen.  Coffee 
and  his  Tennessee  volunteers  ready  to  repel  them. 
Their  battery  was  destroyed — many  lives  were  lost, 
and  the  assailants  precipitately  retreated  to  their 
camp. 

By  these  repeated  attempts,  and  as  often  unsuc- 
cessful ones,  the  British  commander  was  experi- 
mentally convinced,  that  some  mode  ytt  unessayed, 
must  be  adopted  to  gain  a  victory  which  his  coun- 
trymen expected,  and  even  Americans  feared,  he 
would  obtain.  No  British  commander-in-chief, 
since  the  capture  of  Lord  Cornwallis  and  his  army, 
by  Washington,  which  terminated  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  had  a  duty  of  more  peril  and  impor- 
tance to  perform,  than  had  Sir  Edward  Pakenham, 
before  New-Orleans.  Had  he  gained  a  victory  over 
Gen.  Jackson,  as  Wellington  did  over  Napoleon,  he 
would  as  well  have  been  entitled  to  a  dukedom. 
He  resolved  not  to  despair,  but  to  make  another 
desperate  effort,  to  acquire  equal  glory  in  the  west- 
ern,  as  Arthur  Wellesley  has  in  the  eastern  world. 


^4  MEMOIRS    01 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Gen.  Jackson's  and  Sir  Edward  Pakenham's  armies  from  the  Ist  lo- 
tbe  8th  January — Gen  Morgan's  lines — Battle  of  the  8th  Janua- 
ry —Gen.  jL\oksoi)'s  report  of  it— Gen  Morgan's  retreat — Ger.eral 
Jackson's  address  to  the  armies — he  regains  the  right  bank  of  the 
Mississippi  —  Bombardmeiit,  .nd  attack  upon  Fort  St.  Philips— Maj. 
Overton's  report  to  Gen.  Jackson. 

The  rival  armies — the  one  iinder  the  standard 
of  the  Eagle,  the  other  under  that  of  the  Lion,  for 
a  short  period  gazed  at  each  other  in  silent  majes- 
ty. The  armies  of  the  Prince  Regent,  having  met 
with  nothing  but  disasters,  diirin^^  the  whole  cam- 
paign of  1814,  had  concentrated  their  forces  with 
the  navy,  before  New-Orleans,  uith  a  determina- 
tion to  wipe  oil'  the  disgrace  they  had  incurred,  by 
a  series  of  almost  uninterrupted  defeats.  The  his- 
tory of  some  of  their  achievements  thus  far,  has  ne- 
cessarily been  blended  with  the  Memoirs  of  Gen. 
Jai  kson.  From  no  army  sent  to  America,  since  the 
commencement  of  the  Avar  of  the  revolution,  to 
this  period,  had  sanguinary  Englishmen  expected 
so  much  as  from  this.  One  of  the  first  officers  un- 
der Wellington,  Sir  Edward  Pakenham,  was  select- 
ed as  its  commander.  Major-Generals  Keene,  Gibbs, 
and  Lamhert,  were  general?;  of  divisions.  Most  of 
the  troops  were  those  who  had   followed  them,  in 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  225 

their  victorious  career  through  the  Pyrenees,  into 
the  heart  of  France,  and  who  had  assisted  in  gain- 
ing victories  over  the  first  Marshals  in  Europe.  In 
these  considerations,  may  be  found  the  reasons  for 
the  desperation,  not  to  say  infatuation,  of  the  Brit- 
ish officers,  after  they  landed  in  Louisiana.  They 
seemed  to  have  adopted  the  sentiment  of  Napoleon, 
in  the  days  of  his  glory,  that  *'  troops  who  had  al- 
ways conquered,  will  continue  to  conquer."  Gen, 
Jackson,  undismayed,  and  apparently  unconcerned, 
instead  of  concealing  himself  in  his  head  quarters 
in  the  rear  of  his  intrenchment,  was  constantly  with 
his  officers  and  troops,  encouraging  them  by  Ids  ex- 
ample, animating  them  by  his  presence,  and  arou- 
sing their  patriotism  by  the  most  impassioned  elo. 
(|uence.  Upon  the  4th,  the  Kentucky  militia  arri- 
ved, under  Gen.  Thomas  and  Gen.  Adair.  They 
amounted  to  about  2300 ;  but  they  brought  very 
little  with  them,  excepting  hearts  glowing  with 
patriotic  ardour.  But  little  disciplined,  and  almost 
without  arms,  as  the  General  remarked  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  War — "  My  forces,  as  to  numhtr,  had  been 
increased — my  strength  had  received  but  very  little 
addition."  The  city  of  New-Orleans  had  been  al- 
most completely  stripped  of  arms,  to  furnish  the 
Louisiana  militia,  and  the  United  States'  arras 
which  were  known  to  be  in  the  Mississippi,  by  some 
unaccountable  neglect,  had  not  yet  arrived.  The 
unarmed  troops,  however,  were  immediately  placed 


226  MEMOIRS    OF 

in  situations  to  be  the  most  serviceable  in  strength- 
ening the  main  intrenchment,  and  forwarding  the 
one  two  miles  in  the  rear. 

The  reader  is  referred  to  tbe  description  of  the 
American  intrenchments  on  each  side  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, in  tlie  preceding  chapter.  Gen.  Jdckson  had 
so  divided  his  forces,  as  to  render  the  one  as  secure 
as  the  other.  The  British  commander  resolved,  as 
appeared  from  an  order  found  in  the  pocket  of  a 
slain  British  officer,  and  by  his  subsequent  meas- 
ures, to  attack  both  lines  simultaneously.  This  was 
anticipated  by  Gen.  Jackson,  and  measures  were 
taken  accordingly.  General  Morgan,  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  river,  was  aided  by  the  consummate 
skill  and  courage  of  Capt.  Patterson,  whose  battery 
was  so  situated  as  to  protect  his  lines,  and  annoy 
the  enemy  in  the  most  eifectua'  manner.  A  detach- 
ment of  choice  Kentucky  troops  was  also  passed 
over  the  river,  to  give  him  additional  streng^th. 
Gtn.  J  ickson's  forces  were  thus  stationed  :  the  regu- 
lar troops  in  the  redoubt,  and  on  the  right  next  to 
the  river — General  Carroll's  Tennessee  militia,  and 
Gen.  Adair's  Kentucky  militia,  in  the  centre — and 
Gen.  Coffee's  brigade  upon  the  left,  which  penetra- 
ted some  distance  into  the  Cypress  Swamp. 

The  British  army  had  been  reinforced  by  the 
landing  of  Maj.  Gen.  Lambert's  division.  It  has 
been  ascertained  to  be  an  undoubted  fact,  that 
from  the  time  the  British  commenced  the  landing 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  22T 

of  troops  below  New-Orleans,  the  full  amount  of 
14,000  men  liad  been  placed  under  the  command  of 
Sir  Edward  Takenhara  It  is  impossible  to  deter- 
mine how  many  had  been  lost  in  the  several  eng  ige- 
menls,  from  the  23  \  December  to  the  8th  J  muary, 
or  how  many,  upon  that  day,  were  upon  the  sick 
list.  It  would  not,  however,  be  deemed  improba- 
ble, to  conclude,  that  from  10  to  12.000  were  enga- 
ged, about  double  the  elective  force  of  Gen.  Jack- 
son. 

Early  upon  the  morning  of  the  8th  January,  1815, 
a  day  which  will  for  ever  be  memorable  in  Ameri- 
can and  British  annals,  a  tremendous  "shower  of 
bombs  and  Congreve  rockets,"  from  the  British 
army^  announced  the  battle  begun.  The  result  will 
be  found  in  the  following  reports  of  the  American 
Conqueror. 

GEN.  JACKSON  TO  HON.  JAMES  MONROE. 

Camp  J  4  tniles  bri.ow  NewOr  leans, 
0th  Jnnunri/.  1815. 
Sir,— During  the  days  of  the  6th  and  rth,  the 
enemy  had  liee.i  actively  employed  in  making  pre- 
parations for  an  attack  on  my  lines.  With  infinite 
labour  they  had  succeeded,  on  the  night  of  the  Tth, 
in  at^tM'ng  tlieir  boats  across  from  the  lake  to  the 
river,  by  widening  and  deepening  the  canal  on 
which  they  had  effected  their  disembarkation.  It 
had  not  been  in  my  power  to  impede  these  opera- 


22S  MEMOIRS    OF 

lions  by  a  general  attack:  added  to  other  reasons, 
the  nature  of  the  troops  under  my  command,  most- 
ly militia,  rendered  it  too  hazardous  to  attempt 
extensive  offensioe  movements  in  an  open  country, 
against  a  numerous  and  well  disciplined  army.  Al- 
though my  forces,  as  to  number,  had  been  increased 
by  the  arrival  of  the  Kentucky  division,  my  strength 
had  received  very  iittle  addition;  a  small  portion 
only  of  that  detachment  being  provided  with  arms. 
Compelled  thus  to  wait  the  attack  of  the  enemy,  I 
took  every  measure  to  repel  it,  when  it  should  be 
made,  and  to  defeat  the  object  he  had  in  view.  Gen. 
Morgan,  with  the  New-Orleans  contingents,  the 
Louisiana  militia,  and  a  strong  detachment  of  the 
Kentucky  troops,  occupied  an  intrenched  camp  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  protected  by  strong 
batteries  on  the  bank,  erected  and  superintended 
by  Com.  Patterson. 

In  nil/  encampment,  every  thing  was  ready  for 
action,  when,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the 
enemy,  after  throwing  a  heavy  shower  of  bombs 
and  Congreve  rockets,  advanced  their  c.olumns  on 
my  right  and  left,  to  storm  my  intrenchments.  I 
cannot  speak  sufficiently  in  praise  of  the  firmness 
and  deliberation  with  ^^hich  my  whole  line  received 
their  approach — mo}'e  could  not  have  been  expected 
from  veterans  inured  to  war.  For  an  hour,  the  fire 
of  the  small  arms  was  as  incessant  and  severe  as  can 
be  imagined.     The  artillery,  too,  directed  by  offi- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  22^ 

ctrs  who  displayed  equal  skill  and  courage,  did 
great  execution.  Yet  the  columns  of  the  enemy 
continued  to  advance,  with  a  firmness  which  reflects 
upon  them  the  greatest  credit.  Twice,  the  column 
which  approached  me  on  ray  left,  was  repulsed  by 
the  troops  of  Gen.  Carroll,  those  of  Gen.  Coffee, 
and  a  division  of  the  Kentucky  militia,  and  twice 
they  formed  again  and  renewed  the  assault.  At 
length  however,  cut  to  pieces,  they  fled  in  confusion 
from  the  field,  leaving  it  covered  with  their  dead 
and  wounded.  The  loss  which  the  enemy  sustained 
on  this  occasion,  cannot  be  estimated  at  less  than 
1500  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners.  Upwards 
of  three  hundred  have  already  been  delivered  over 
for  burial ;  and  my  men  are  still  engaged  in  pick- 
ing them  up  within  my  lines,  and  carrying  thera 
to  the  point  where  the  enemy  are  to  receive  them. 
This  is  in  addition  to  the  dead  and  wounded,  whom 
the  enemy  have  been  enabled  to  carry  from  the 
field,  during,  and  since  the  action,  and  to  those 
who  have  since  ditd  of  the  wounds  they  received. 
We  have  taken  about  500  prisoners,  upwards  of 
300  of  whom  are  wounded,  and  a  great  part  of 
them  mortally.  My  loss  has  not  exceeded,  and  I 
believe  has  not  amounted  to,  ten  killed,  and  as  ma- 
ny wounded.  The  entire  destruction  of  the  enemy's 
army  u  as  now  inevitable,  had  it  not  been  for  an 
unfortunate  occurrence,  which  at  this  moment  took 
place  on  ihe  other  side  of  the  river.  Simultaneously 
U 


i>30  MEMOIRS    Of 

with  his  advance  upon  my  lines,  he  had  throwu 
over  in  his  boats,  a  considerable  force  to  the  other 
side  of  the  river.  These  having  landed,  were  har- 
dy enough  to  advance  against  the  works  of  Gen. 
Morgan!  and  what  is  strange  and  difficult  to  ac- 
count for,  at  the  very  moment  whrn  their  entire 
discomfiture  was  Jooked  for  with  a  confidence  ap- 
proaching to  certainty,  the  Kentucky  reinforce- 
ments, ingloriousiy  fled,  drawing  after  them,  by 
their  example,  the  remainder  of  the  forces ;  and 
thus  yielding  to  the  enemy  tliat  most  fortunate  po- 
sition. The  batteries  which  had  rendered  me,  for 
many  days,  the  most  important  service,  though 
bravely  defended,  were  of  course  now  abandoned  ; 
not  however,  unti!  the  guns  had  been  spiked. 

This  unfortunate  route,  had  totally  changed  the 
aspect  of  affairs.  The  enemy  now  occupied  a  posi- 
tion from  which  they  might  annoy  us  without  haz- 
ard,  and  by  means  of  which  they  might  have  been 
enabled  to  defeat,  in  a  great  measure,  the  effects 
of  our  success  on  this  side  of  the  river.  It  became 
therefore,  an  object  of  the  first  consequence,  to  dis- 
lodge him  as  soon  as  possible.  For  this  object,  all 
the  means  in  my  power,  which  I  could  with  any 
safety  use,  were  immediately  put  in  preparation. 
Perhaps,  however,  it  was  somewhat  owing  to  an- 
other cause,  that  I  succeeded  beyond  my  expecta- 
tions. In  ncgociatiijg  the  terms  of  a  temporary 
suspension  of  hostilities,  to  enable  the   enemy  to 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  231 

bury  their  dead,  and  provide  for  their  wounded,  I 
had  required  certain  propositions  to  be  acceded  to 
as  a  basis ;  among  which  this  was  one — that  al- 
though hostilities  should  cease  on  this  side  the  river 
until  12  o'clock  of  this  day,  yet  it  was  not  to  be 
understood,  that  they  should  cease  on  the  other 
side ;  but  that  no  reinforcements  should  be  sent 
across  by  either  army,  until  the  expiration  of  that 
day.  His  excellency  Maj.  Gen.  liambert,  bee:ged 
time  to  consider  of  those  propositions  until  10  o'clock 
of  to  day,  and  in  the  mean  time  re  crossed  his 
troops.  I  need  not  tell  you  with  how  much  eager- 
ness I  immediately  regained  possession  of  the  posi- 
tion he  had  thus  hastily  quitted. 

The  enemy  having  concentrated  his  forces,  may 
again  attempt  to  drive  me  from  my  position,  by 
storm.  Whenever  he  does^  I  have  no  doubt  my 
men  will  act  with  their  usual  firmness,  and  sustain 
a  character  now  become  dear  to  them. 
I  have  the  honour,  kc, 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

It  will  be  noticed  in  this  account,  that  Gen.  Jack- 
son, while  he  bestows  the  most  unqualified  appro- 
bation upon  his  own  brave  troops,  does  not  omit  to 
declare,  that  the  *'  columns  of  the  enemy  continued 
to  advance  with  a  firmness  which  reflects  upon  them 
the  highest  credit."  A  brave  man  is  always  gene- 
rous to  a  brave  foe;  and  although  a  fallen  one, 


232  MEMOIRS    Of 

withholds  from  him  no  credit  that  is  justly  his  due. 
The  general  estimates  the  loss  of  the  enemy,  at 
ecarceiy  half  what  it  really  was;  for  although  the 
Inspector-General  Haynes,  makes  it  2.600,  subse- 
quent acknowledgments  from  British  prisoners  make 
it  exceed  3,000. 

The  agitation  felt  by  the  general,  at  the  loss  of 
the  important  post  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river, 
under  Gen.  Morgan,  is  clearly  discoverable  in  the 
language  he  uses  ;  and  it  has  been  said  that  he  was 
too  severe  in  saying,  **  The  Kentucky  reinforcements 
inglorionsly  fled."  He  immediately  delivered  to 
them  the  following  elegant  address,  in  which  he 
gives  them  the  fullest  credit,  for  courage,  except 
in  this  instance. 

'*  While,  by  the  blessing  of  heaven,  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  victories  was  obtained  by  the  troops 
under  my  immediate  command,  no  words  can  ex- 
press the  mortification  I  felt,  at  witnessing  the  scene 
exhibited  on  the  opposite  bank.  I  will  spare  your 
feelings  and  ray  own,  nor  enter  into  a  detail  on  the 
subject.  To  all  who  reflect,  it  must  be  a  source  of 
eternal  regret,  that  a  few  moments'  exertion  of  that 
courage  you  certainly  possess,  was  alone  wanting  to 
have  rendered  your  success  more  complete,  than 
that  of  your  fellow  citizens  in  this  camp.  To  what 
cause  was  the  abandonment  of  your  lines  owing? 
To  fear  ?    No '    Yoti    src    the   countrymen,    the 


ANDREW   JACKSON*  2S$ 

friends,  the  brothers  of  those  who  have  secured  to 
themselves,  by  their  courage^  the  gratitude  of  their 
country  ;  who  have  been  prodigal  of  blood  in  its 
defence,  and  who  are  strangers  to  any  other  fear 
than  disgrace — To  disaffection  to  our  glorious 
cause  ?  No,  my  countrymen,  your  general  does 
justice  to  the  pure  sentiments  by  u^hich  you  are 
inspired.  How  then  could  braue  7nen,  firm  in  the 
cause  in  which  they  were  enrolled,  neglect  their  first 
duty,  and  abandon  the  post  committed  to  their 
care  ?  The  want  of  discipline,  the  want  of  order, 
the  total  disregard  to  obedience,  and  a  spirit  of 
insubordination,  not  less  destructive  than  cowardice 
itself,  are  the  causes  which  led  to  this  disaster,  and 
they  must  be  eradicated,  or  1  must  cease  to  com- 
mand, I  desire  to  be  distinctly  understood,  that 
every  breach  of  orders,  all  want  of  discipline,  every 
inattention  of  duty,  will  be  seriously  and  promptly 
punished  ;  that  the  attentive  officers,  and  good  sol- 
diers, may  not  be  mentioned  in  the  disgrace  and 
danger,  which  the  negligence  of  a  few  may  pro- 
duce. Soldiers!  you  want  only  the  will,  in  order 
to  emulate  the  glory  of  your  fellow  citizens  on  this 
bank  of  the  river — You  have  the  same  motives  for 
action — the  same  interest — the  same  country  to  pro- 
tect ;  and  you  have  an  additional  interest,  from 
past  events,  to  wipe  off  reproach,  and  show  that 
you  will  not  be  inferior,  in  the  day  of  trial,  to  any 
of  your  countrymen. 
U  2 


234i  MEMOIRS    GF 

But  remember,  without  obedience,  without  or- 
dcr,  without  discipline,  all  your  ejforls  are  vain. 
The  brave  man,  inaltenlive  to  his  duty,  is  worth  lit- 
tle more  to  his  country,  than  the  coward,  who  de- 
serts  her  in  the  liour  of  danger. 

Private  opinions,  as  to  the  cowpctcncij  of  oftlcers, 
iMust  not  be  indulged,  and  still  less  expressed.  It 
is  impossible  that  the  measures  of  those  w  ho  com- 
mand, should  satisfy  all  who  are  bound  to  obey  ; 
and  one  of  the  most  dangerous  faults  in  a  soldier,  is 
a  disposition  to  criticise  and  blame  the  orders  and 
characters  of  his  superiors.  Soldiers  !  I  know  that 
many  of  you  have  done  your  duty  ;  and  I  trust  in 
future,  that  I  shall  liave  no  reason  to  make  any  ex- 
ception. OJJircrs!  I  have  the  fullest  confidence 
that  you  will  enforce  obedience  to  your  commands; 
but  above  all,  that  by  subordination  in  your  dili'er- 
ent  grades,  you  will  set  an  example  to  your  men; 
and  that  hereafter  the  army  of  the  right  will  yield 
to  none,  in  the  essential  qualities  which  characterize 
good  sojdiers— that  they  will  earn  their  share  of 
those  honours  and  rewards,  which  their  country 
will  prepare  for  its  deliverer s,^^ 

Gen.  Jackson  took  immediate  measures  to  regain 
by  forccy  the  important  post  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  Mississippi ;  but,  ever  anxious  to  spare  the  eiTu- 
sion  of  human  blood,  he  obtained  it  by  negociaUon, 
as  mentioned  in  his  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 
The  relinquishment  of  this  post,  seems  to  be  the 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  235 

result  of  that  infatuation  which  evinced  itself  in 
every  measure  of  the  British  comnianders,  after 
they  landed  in  Louisiana.  Had  they  abandoned 
the  east  side  of  the  river,  and  concentrated  their 
forces  upon  the  west,  with  tl^e  immense  quantity  of 
heavy  artillery  in  their  possession,  they  would  have 
had  the  exclusive  command  of  the  country  to  New- 
Orleans ;  and  what  could  then  have  saved  the  city, 
must  be  kh  to  conjecture.  Hence  the  solicitude 
of  Gen,  Jackson  to  regain  it :  hence  too,  his  exces- 
sive mortification  at  its  temporary  loss.  Notwith- 
standing the  unparalleled  victory  obtained,  it  ap- 
pears from  the  following  letter,  that  the  general  act- 
ed as  if  the  enemy  were  preparing  '' to  make  a  still 
mightier  effort  to  attain  his  first  object, ^^ 

GEN.  JACKSON  TO  HON.  JAMES  MONROE. 

Head  Quarters,  Campy  4>  miles  below 
New-Orleans f  Jan.  13th,  1815. 
Sir, — At  such  a  crisis,  I  conceive  it  my  duty  to 
keep  you  constantly  advised  of  my  situation. 

On  the  10th  instant,  I  fowarded  you  an  account 
of  the  bold  attempt  made  by  the  enemy,  on  the 
morning  of  the  8th,  to  take  possession  of  ray  works 
by  storm,  and  of  the  severe  repulse  which  he  met 
with.  That  report  having  been  sent  by  the  mail 
which  crosses  the  lake,  may  possibly  have  miscarri- 
ed; for  which  reason,  I  think  it  the  more  necessary 
briefly  to  repeat  the  substance  of  it. 


236  MEMOIRS    Of 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  enemy  hav- 
ing been  actively  employed  the  two  preceding  days, 
in  making  preparations  for  a  storm,  advanced  in 
two  strong  columns  on  my  right  and  left.  They 
were  received,  however,  with  a  firnmess  which  it 
6eems  ihty  little  expected,  and  which  defeated  all 
their  hopes.  My  men,  undisturbed  by  their  ap- 
proach, which  indeed  they  long  anxiously  wished 
for,  opened  upon  them  a  fire,  so  deliberate  and  cer- 
tain, as  rendered  their  scaling  ladders  and  fascines, 
as  well  as  their  more  direct  implements  of  warfare, 
perfectly  useless.  For  upwards  of  an  hour  it  was 
continued  with  a  briskness  of  which  there  have  been 
but  few  instances,  perhaps,  in  any  country.  In  jus- 
tice  to  the  enemy,  it  must  be  said,  they  withstood 
it  as  long  as  could  be  expected  from  the  most  de- 
termined bravery.  At  length,  however,  when  all 
prospect  of  success  became  hopeless,  they  fled  in 
confu-ion  from  the  field,  leaving  it  covered  with 
their  dead  and  wounded.  Their  loss  was  immense. 
I  had  at  first  computed  it  at  1500;  but  it  is  since 
ascertained  to  have  been  much  greater.  Upon  in- 
formation, Avhich  is  believed  to  be  correct,  Colonel 
Haynes,  the  inspector-general,  reports  it  to  be  in 
total  2G00.  His  report  I  enclose  you.  iMy  loss 
was  inconsiderable,  being  only  7*  killed,  and  6 
wounded.     Such  a  disproportion  in  loss,  when   we 

*  This  wap  in  the  action  on  the  line  :  afterwards  a  skirmishing  was 
kept  up,  iQ  which  a  few  more  of  our  men  were  lost. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  2St 

consider  the  number  and  the  kind  of  troops  enga- 
ged, must,  I  know,  excite  astonishment,  and  may 
not  every  where  be  fully  credited ;  yet  I  am  per- 
fectly satisfied  that  the  account  is  not  exaggerated 
on  the  one  part,  nor  underrated  on  the  other. 

The  enemy  having  hastily  quitted  a  post,  which 
they  had  gained  possession  of,  on  the  other  side  of 
the  river,  and  we,  having  immediately  returned  to 
it,  both  armies,  at  present,  occupy  their  former 
positions.  Whether,  after  the  severe  losses  he  has 
sustained,  he  is  preparing  to  return  to  his  shipping, 
or  to  make  still  mightier  efforts  to  attain  his  first 
object,  I  do  not  pretend  to  determine.  It  becomes 
me  to  act  as  though  the  latter  were  his  intention. 
One  thing,  however,  seems  certain,  that  if  he  still 
calculates  on  effecting  what  he  has  hitherto  been 
unable  to  accomplish,  he  must  expect  considerable 
reinforcements ;  as  the  force  with  which  he  landed 
must  be  undoubtedly  diminished,  by  at  least  3000. 
Besides  the  loss  which  he  sustained  on  the  night  of 
the  23d  ult.  which  is  estimated  at  400,  he  cannot 
have  suffered  less  between  that  period  and  the  morn- 
ing of  the  8th  inst.  than  3000 — having,  within  that 
time,  been  repulsed  in  two  general  attempts  to  drive 
us  from  our  position,  and  there  having  been  contin» 
ual  cannonading  and  skirmishing  during  the  whole 
of  it.  Yet  he  is  still  able  to  shew  a  very  formidable 
force. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  commanding  general, 


iSS  MEMOIRS  OF 

Sir  Edward  Pakenhani,  was  killed,  in  the  action  of 
the  8th»  and  that  i\lajor-GeneraIs  Keane  and  Gibbs 
were  badly  wounded. 

Whenever  a  more  leisure  moment  shall  occur,  I 
vili  take  the  liberty  to  make  and  forward  you  a 
more  circumstantial  account  of  the  several  actions, 
and  particularly  that  of  the  8th;  in  doing  which, 
my  chief  motive  will  be,  to  render  justice  to  those 
brave  men  I  have  the  honour  to  command,  and 
who  have  so  remarkably  distinguished  themselves. 
I  have  the  honour,  kc, 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

The  rival  armies  upon  the  9th,  were  restored  to 
their  former  positions;  and  both  were  ignorant  of 
the  intentions  of  each  other.  Sir  Edward  Paken- 
hani being  slain,  and  Generals  Keane  and  Gibbs  be- 
ing, the  one  mortally,  and  the  other  severely  wound- 
ed, were  compelled,  the  one  to  languish  and  die, 
the  other  to  languish  and  barely  survive.  The 
command  devolved  upon  Maj.  Gen.  I.ambert.  The 
deep  penetration  of  Gen.  Jackson  might  well  lead 
him  to  suppose,  that  Gen.  Lambert,  and  Col.  Thorn- 
ton, (who  had  once  conquered  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  river,)  would  unite  their  *'  mightier  elTorts'*  to 
conquer  on  the  east.  Ever  vigilant,  and  never  re- 
miss, he  relai^ed  not  in  the  least  from  his  former  en- 
ergy. The  plains  of  Capua,  after  a. victory,  and  the 
luxurious  indulgence  of  the  fruits  of  conquest  upop 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  230 

them,  proved  to  be  the  destruction  of  Hannibal  and 
his  army.  Gen.  Jackson  was  resoJved,  that  the  banks 
of  the  Mississippi  should  not  prove  so  to  him  and 
his  patriotic  companions. 

While  every  exertion  was  made  to  prepare  for 
another  attack,  the  distant  thunder  of  cannon,  an- 
nounced to  the  armies,  the  operations  of  the  power- 
ful British  naval  force  at  the  mouth  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. From  the  official  report  of  Maj.  Overton  to 
Gen.  Jackson,  it  may  be  concluded,  that  Admiral 
Cochrane,  and  Sir  Edward  Pakenham,  had  agreed 
to  commence  final  operations  at  the  same  time — the 
one  to  capture  New  OrleanF,  the  other  to  destroy 
the  American  forts  at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Upon 
the  memorable  8th  January,  a  squadron  of  the  Brit- 
ish naval  force  appeared  before  Fort  St.  Philips. 
Gen.  Jackson  thus  writes  to  the  Secretary  at  War: 
♦'  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  you  Maj.  Overton's 
report  of  the  attack  of  Fort  St.  Philips,  and  of  the 
manner  in  which  it  was  defended.  The  conduct 
of  that  officer,  and  of  those  who  acted  under  him, 
merits,  1  think,  great  praise.  They  nailed  their 
own  colours  to  the  standard,  and  placed  those  of 
the  enemy  underneath  them,  determined  never  to 
surrender  the  fort."  The  following  is  the  report 
alluded  to  by  the  general. 


240  MEMOIRS    Of 

MA  J.  W.  H.  OVEKTON  TO  GEN.  JACKSON. 

Fort  St.  Philips,  Jan.  19,  1815. 
Sir, — On  the  1st  of  the  present  month,  I  received 
the  information,  that  the  enemy  intended  passing 
this  fort,  to  co-operate  with  their  land  forces,  in  the 
subjugation  of  Louisiana,  and  the  destruction  of 
New-Orleans.  To  effect  this  with  more  facility, 
they  were  first,  with  their  heavy  homb  vessels,  to 
bombard  this  place  into  compliance.  On  the 
grounds  of  this  information,  I  turned  my  attention 
to  the  security  of  my  command.  I  erected  small 
magazines  in  different  parts  of  the  garrison,  that  if 
one  blew  up,  I  could  resort  to  another  ;  built  covers 
for  my  men,  to  secure  them  from  the  explosion  of 
the  shells,  and  removed  the  combustible  matter 
without  the  work.  Early  in  the  day  of  the  8th 
inst.  I  was  advised  of  their  approach,  and  on  the 
9th,  at  a  quarter  past  10,  A.  M.  hove  in  sight,  two 
bomb  vessels,  one  sloop,  one  brig,  and  one  schooner  : 
they  anchored  two  and  one  quarter  miles  below.  At 
half  past  11,  and  at  half  past  12,  they  advanced 
two  barges,  apparently  for  the  purpose  of  sounding 
within  one  and  a  half  miles  of  the  fort.  At  this 
moment,  I  ordered  my  water  battery,  under  the 
comraaml  of  Lieut.  Cunningham,  of  the  navy,  to 
open  upon  them  :  its  well  directed  shot  caused  a 
precipitate  retreat.  At  half  past  3  o'clock,  P.  M, 
the  enemy's  bomb  vessels  opened  their  fire,  from  four 
^ea-mortars,  two  of  thirteen  inches,  two  of  ten,  and, 


A^'UREVf    JACKSON,  241 

to  my  great  mortification,  I  found  they  were  with- 
out th€  eflective  range  of  my  shot,  as  many  subse- 
quent experiments  proved.  They  continued  their 
fire,  with  little  intermission,  during  the  10th,  llth, 
12th,  13th,  14th,  15th,  16th,  and  IHh.  I  occa- 
sionally opened  my  batteries  on  them  with  great 
vivacity,  particularly  when  they  showed  a  dispo- 
sition to  change  their  position. 

On  the  17th,  in  the  evening,  our  heavy  mortar 
was  said  to  be  in  readiness.  I  ordered  that  excel- 
lent officer,  Capt.  VVolstoncroft,  of  the  artillerists, 
who  previously  had  charge  of  it,  to  open  a  fire, 
which  was  done  with  great  effect,  as  the  enemy 
from  that  moment  became  disordered,  and  at  day- 
light^ Oil  the  J8th,  commenced  their  retreat,  after 
having  thrown  upwards  of  a  thousand  heavy  shells, 
besides  shells  from  howitzers,  roun'l  shot  anci  grape, 
which  he  discharged  from  boats,  under  cover  of  the 
night. 

Our  loss  in  this  affair  has  been  uncommonly 
smnll,  owing  entirely  to  the  great  pains  that  were 
taken  by  the  different  officers  to  keep  their  men 
undercover;  as  the  enemy  left  scarcely  ten  feet  of 
this  garrison  untouched. 

The  officers  and  soldiers,  through  this  whole  af- 
fair, although  nine  days  and  nights  under  arms,  in 
the  different  batteries,  with  the  consequent  fatigue 
and  loss  of  sleep,  huve  manifested  the  greatest  firm- 
ness and  the  most  zealous  warmth  to  beat  the  enc- 
W 


^4l2  MEMOIRii    Oi? 

my.  To  distinguish  individuals,  would  be  a  deli- 
cate task,  as  merit  was  conspicuous  every  where. 
Lieut.  Cunningham,  of  the  navy,  who  comraandt^d 
my  waler  battery,  with  his  brave  crew,  evinced  the 
most  determined  bravery  and  uncommon  activity 
throughout :  in  fact,  Sir,  the  only  thing  to  be  re- 
gretted, is,  that  tlie  enemy  was  too  timid  to  give 
us  an  opportunity  of  destroying  him. 

I  herewith  enclose  you  a  list  of  the  killed  and 
wounded.  I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully, 

W.  H.  OVERTON. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans,  from  the  official  re- 
port, was,  killed,  2 — wounded,  7 — -total,  9.  No- 
thing but  the  immense  importance  of  the  post  he 
commanded,  can  justify  Maj.  Overton  in  nailing  his 
colours  to  his  standard.  Even  the  praise  of  Gen. 
Jackson,  cannot  wholly  exculpate  a  commander  for 
an  act,  which  might  have  led  to  the  sacrifice  of  his 
7vhole  garrison,  by  a  force,  to  contend  with  which., 
would  have  been  desperation. 


iNDREW   JACKSON.  24:^ 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Situation  of  the  armies  after  the  battle  of  the  8th  Januaiy— Melan.- 
choly  and  distressing  scene — Operations  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi— Departure  of  the  enemy — Gen.  Jackson's  address  to  the 
American  troops — Disparity  in  the  loss  of  the  two  armies. 

Although  the  American  army  uncier  Gen.  Jack- 
son, and  the  British  army  under  Gen.  Lambert, 
remained  in  full  view  of  each  other,  irom  the  9th 
to  the  18th,  no  hostile  military  operations  took  place 
between  them,  during  that  time.  The  first  were 
preparing  for  a  renewed  attack,  enjoying  the  repose 
their  valour  had  rendered  secure,  and  which  many 
days  of  excessively  hard  labour,  and  a  number  of 
severe  fighting,  rendered  peculiarly  necessary.  The 
last  were  employed  in  discharging  the  most  melan- 
choly duties  of  the  camp.  The  soldiers  were  en- 
gaged in  depositing  in  the  bosom  of  the  earth,  their 
slain  comrades,  who  had  for  many  days  previous, 
fought  by  their  sides  upon  its  surface,  and  assuaging 
the  distresses  of  the  wounded  who  yet  survived. 
Humanity  must  weep  over  such  a  scene  ;  and  in  the 
death  and  anguish  of  the  gallant,  and  comparative- 
ly innocent  soldiers  of  England,  for  a  season  forget 
the  wicked  cause  in  which  they  fell — the  cause  of 
tyranny  against  freedom.    Even  the  patriotic  so!- 


244  MEMOIRS    OF 

diers  of  our  beloved  Republic,  in  beliolding  the 
banks  of  the  majestic  Mississippi,  converted  into  an 
outspread  sepulchre  for  veteran  focmen,  who  had 
one  common  origin  '.vith  themselves,  must  have 
dropped  a  manly  tear.  But  how  soon  will  reftec- 
tion  compel  them  to  pour  forth  the  most  indignant 
imprecations  against  the  British  governmen!,  whose 
systematic  injustice  first  occasioned  the  war,  and 
against  the  British  officers,  whose  Vandalism  and 
barbarity,  even  charity  itself  can  never  forgive. 
It  must  crimson  with  a  blush  every  Englishman, 
who  reads  the  history  of  the  nineteenth  century, 
vvhen  he  finds  it  recorded,  that  an  officer,  the  pride 
of  England,  confident  of  capturing  one  of  the  finest 
cities  in  America,  gave  as  a  countersign^  upon  the 
day  his  army  was  to  enter  it — "  Booty  and  Beau- 
ty !"  The  hard  earnings  of  patient  industry,  were 
to  be  ravished  from  the  defenceless  citizens,  and 
their  wives  and  daughters  to  be  subjected  to  the 
diabolical  lust  of  a  full-gorged  soldiery.  The  in- 
nocent and  accomplished  females  of  New-Orleans, 
who  had  spent  days  of  labour,  and  nights  of  watch- 
fulness, in  alleviating  the  toils  of  their  valiant  coun- 
trymen, while  stationed  under  the  banners  of  the 
Republic,  were  to  sutler  more  than  ten  thousand 
deaths  could  inflict,  before  the  very  eyes  of  those 
who  had  blessed  them  for  their  bounty,  but  who 
could  no  longer  extend  io  them  protection.  Well 
may  the   English  reader  exclaim  with  an  ancient 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  245 

poet — ^^  2uis  temprret  a  Inchri/mis^  talia  fandoy"* 
(who  can  refrain  from  tears  in  relating  such  deeds;) 
and  \TeiI  may  the  patriotic  sons  of  CoIuml)ia,  when 
thinking  of  their  impi  icable  enemy,  resolve  to  be. 

"  Fire  to  fire,  flint  to  flint,  and  to  outface 
"  The  brow  of  bragging  horror." 

It  would  seem  that  Gen.  Lambert  had  determin- 
ed to  maintain  his  position  upon  the  Mississippi, 
until  he  learned  the  result  of  the  naval  operations 
at  its  mouth.  Upon  the  ITth,  Capt.  Wolstoncroft, 
of  the  artillerists,  having  taken  a  position  which 
brought  the  British  shipping  within  the  range  of 
his  mortar,  immediately  threw  them  into  disorder, 
and  compelled  them  to  retire.  Upon  the  18th, 
Gen.  Lambert  having  had  time  to  receive  this  dis- 
couraging intelligence,  decamped  in  the  night  sea- 
son, as  appears  from  the  following  official  coramu- 
nication. 

GEN.  JACKSON  TO  HON.  JAMES  MONROE. 
Camp  below  New-Orleans,  19th  Jan.  1815. 
Last  night  at  12  o'clock,  the  enemy  precipitate- 
]y  decamped  and  returned  to  their  boats,  leaving 
behind  him  under  medical  attendance  eighty  of  his 
wounded,  including  two  officers,  14  pieces  of  his 
heavy  artillery,  and  a  quantity  of  shot,  having 
destroyed  much,  of  his  powder.  Such  was  the  sit- 
uation of  the  ground   he  abandoned,  and  of  that 

through  which  he  retired,  protected  by  canals,  re- 
W  /i 


246  MEMOIRS   OF 

douhfs,  intrenchments,  and  swamps  on  his  right, 
and  the  river  on  his  left,  that  I  could  not  without 
encountering  a  risk,  ^hich  true  policy  did  not  seem 
to  require,  or  to  authorize,  attempt  to  annoy  him 
much  on  his  retreat.     We  took  only  eight  prisoners. 

Whether  it  is  the  purpose  of  the  enemy  to  aban- 
don the  expedition  altogether,  or  renew  his  elForts 
at  some  other  point,  I  do  not  pretend  to  determine 
^uth  posit iveness.  In  my  own  mind,  however, 
there  is  but  little  doul)t,  that  his  last  exertions  have 
been  made  in  this  quarter;  at  any  rate  for  the  pre- 
sent season,  and  l)y  the  next^  I  hope  we  shall  be  ful- 
4y  prepared  for  him.  In  this  belief,  I  am  strength- 
ened not  only  l^y  the  prodigious  loss  he  has  sustain- 
ed at  the  position  he  has  just  quitted,  but  by  the 
failure  of  his  fleet  to  pass  Fort  St.  Philips. 

His  loss  on  the  ground,  since  the  debarkation  of 
his  troops,  as  stated  by  the  last  prisoners  and  desert- 
ers, and  as  confirmed  by  many  additional  circum- 
fitances,  must  have  exceeded  four  thousand  ;  and 
was  greater  in  the  action  of  the  8th,  than  was  esti- 
jaiated,  from  the  most  correct  data  then  in  his  pos- 
session,  by  the  inspector-general,  whose  report  has 
been  forwarded  to  you.  We  succeeded,  on  the  8th, 
in  getting  from  the  enemy  about  lOUO  stand  of  arms 
of  various  descriptions. 

Since  the  action  of  the  81b,  the  enemy  have  been 
allowed  very  little  respite — my  artillery  from  both 
sides  of  the  river,  beiag  constantly  employed,  til) 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  24iT 

the  night,  and  indecl  until  the  hour  of  their  retreat, 
in  annoying  them.  No  doubt  they  thought  it  quite 
time  to  quit  a  position  in  which  so  little  rest  could 
be  found. 

I  am  advised  by  Maj.  Overton,  w  ho  commands  at 
Fort  St.  Philips,  in  a  htter  of  the  18th,  that  the 
enemy  having  homt)arded  his  fort  for  eight  or  nine 
days,  from  13  inch  mortars,  without  efi'ect,  had,  on 
the  morning  of  that  day,  retired.  I  have  little  doubt 
that  he  would  have  been  able  to  have  sunk  their, 
vessels,  had  they  attempted  to  run  by. 

Giving  the  proper  weight  to  all  these  considera- 
tions, I  believe  you  vVill  not  think  me  too  sanguine 
in  the  belief,  that  Louisiana  is  now  clear  of  its 
enemy.  I  hope,  however,  I  need  not  assure  you, 
that  wherever  /  command,  such  a  belief  shall  never 
occasion  any  relaxation  in  the  measures  for  resist- 
ance. 1  am  but  too  sensible,  that  the  moment  when 
the  enemy  is  opposing  us,  is  not  the  most  proper  to 
provide  for  them. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON, 

P.  S.  On  the  18th,  our  prisoners  on  shore  were 
delivered  us,  an  exchange  having  been  previously 
agreed  to.  Those  who  are  on  board  the  fleet, 
will  be  delivered  at  Petit  Coquiile— after  which,  I 
shall  still  have  in  my  hands  an  excess  of  several  hun- 
dred. 

^th.— Mr.  Shields,  purser  in  the  navy,  has  to- 


24S  MEMOIRS    OF 

day  fallen  54  prisoners ;  among  them  are  four  oftl. 
cers.  A.  J. 

Thus  enrlrd  the  expedition  of  the  British  army, 
agairvt  tL>e  city  of  New-Orleans — thus  ended  the 
demonstration  of  the  British  naval  force,  against 
the  f.  rts  at  liie  mouth  of  the  Mississippi.  The  de- 
tail of  events  which  took  place  in  this  mteresting 
and  important  st^ction  of  the  Republic,  have  neces- 
sarily been  blended  with  the  Memoirs  of  Gen.  Jack- 
son. Indeed,  they  are  identified  with  each  other — 
he  was  ihtjirsf  motion  of  every  movement. 

The  deeply  interesting  scenes  through  which 
Gen.  Jackson,  his  army,  and  the  citizens  of  New- 
Orleans  were  called  to  pass,  from  the  I6th  Decem- 
ber, 1814,  to  the  18th  January,  1815,  would  fur- 
nish  subjects  for  a  volume  far  more  extended  than 
the  whole  of  this  little  Mork.  In  a  few  pages  I 
have  endeavoured  to  present  the  reader  with  the 
prominet  facts  connected  \*ith  these  great  events. 
That  they  were  derived  from  sources  indisputably 
accurate,  I  have  the  most  confident  assurance.  A 
brief  recapitulation  would  be  attempted,  were  it  not 
in  my  power  to  furnish  the  reader  with  the  elegant 
and  impressive  address  of  Gen.  Jackson  to  his  troops 
upon  the  21st  January,  which  follows. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  24i^ 

Directed  by  Maj.  Gen.  Jackson,  to  be  read  at  the  head  of  each  of  the 
corps  composing  the  line  below  New-Orleans,  Jan.  21,   ldl6. 

ADDKtiSS. 
Cilizens,  and  fellow  soldiers!  The  enemy  has  re- 
treate(r,  and  your  general  has  now  leisure  to   pro- 
claim to  the  world  what  he  has  noticed  vviih  ad  mi- 
ration   and  pride— your   undaunted  courage,  your 
patriotism,  and  patience,  under  hardships  and  fa- 
tigues.    Natives  of  ditiferent  states,  acting  together 
for  the  first  time  in  this  camp;  differing  in  habits 
and  in   language,  instead  of  viewing    in  these   cir- 
eumstances,  the  germ  of  distrust  and  division,  you 
have  made  them  the  source  of  an  honourable  emu- 
lation, and  from  the  seeds  of  discord  itself,  have 
reaped    the  fruits   of  an  honourable   union.      This 
day  completes  the  fourth  week,  since  fifteen  hun- 
dred of  you  attacked  treble   your  number  of  men, 
who  had  boasted  of  their  discipline  and  their  servi- 
ces under  a  celebrated  leader,  in  a  long  and  event- 
ful  war— attacked  them  in  their  camp,  the  moment 
they  had  profaned  the  soil  of  freedom,  with  their 
hostile  tread,  and  Inflicted  a  blow  which  was  a  pre- 
lude to  the  final  result  of  their  attempt  to  conquer, 
or   their  poor  contrivances  to  divide   us.     A  few 
hours    was    sufficient    to   unite   the  gallant   band, 
though  at  the  moment  they  received  the  welcome 
order  to  march,  they  were  separated  many  leagues, 
in  different  directions  from  the  city.     The  gay  ra- 
pidity  of  the  march,  and  the  cheerful  countenances 


260  UTEMOIRS    OF 

of  the  officers  and  men,  would  have  induced  a  be- 
Hcf  that  some  festive  entertainment,  not  the  strife 
of  battle,  was  the  scene  to  which  they  hastened 
with  so  much  eagerness  and  hilarity.  In  the  con- 
flict that  ensued,  the  same  spirit  was  supported, 
and  my  communications,  to  the  executive  of  the 
U.  States,  have  testified  the  sense  1  entertained  of 
the  merits  of  the  corps  and  officers  that  were  enga- 
ged. Resting  on  the  field  of  battle,  they  retired  in 
perfect  order  on  the  next  morning  to  these  lines, 
destined  to  become  the  scene  of  future  victories, 
which  they  were  to  share  with  the  rest  of  you,  my 
brave  companions  in  arms.  Scarcely  were  your 
lines  a  protection  against  musket  shot,  when  on 
the  28th,  a  disposition  was  nidde  to  attack  th'*ra 
with  all  the  pomp  and  parade  of  military  tactics,  as 
improved  by  those  veterans  of  the  Spanish  war. 

Their  batteries  of  heavy  cannon  kept  up  an  in- 
cessant fire;  their  rockets  illuminated  the  air;  and 
under  their  cover,  two  strong  columns  threatened 
our  flanks.  The  foe  insolently  thought  that  this 
spectacle  was  too  imposing  to  be  resisted,  and  in 
the  intoxication  of  his  pride,  he  already  saw  our 
lines  ainndoned  without  a  contest — how  were  these 
menacing  appearances  met  ?  By  shouts  of  defiance, 
by  a  manly  countenance,  not  to  be  shaken  by  the 
roar  of  his  cannon,  or  by  the  glare  of  his  firework 
rockets;  by  an  artillery  served  uith  superior  skill, 
and  with  deadly  effect.     Never,  my  brave  friends, 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  ^51 

.  can  your  general  forget  the  testinaonials  of  attach- 
ment to  our  t^lorious  cause,  of  indignant  hatred  to 
our  foe,  of  affectionate  confidence  in  your  chief, 
that  resounded  from  every  rank,  as  he  passed  along 
your  line.  This  animating  scene  damped  the  cour- 
age of  the  enemy ;  he  dropped  his  scaling  ladders 
and  fascines,  and  the  threatened  attack  dwindled 
into  a  demonstration,  which  served  only  to  shew  the 
emptiness  of  his  parade,  and  to  inspire  you  with  a 
just  confidence  in  yourselves. 

The  new  year  was  ushered  in  with  the  most  tre- 
mendous fire  his  whole  artillery  could  produce:  a 
few  hours  only,  however,  were  necessary  for  the 
brave  and  skilful  men,  who  directed  our  own,  to 
dismount  his  cannon,  destroy  his  batteries,  and 
eiiectually  silence  his  fire.  Hitherto,  my  brave 
friends,  in  the  contest  on  onr  lines  your  courage 
had  been  passive  only  ;  you  stood  with  calmness,  a 
fire  that  would  have  tried  the  firmness  of  a  veteran, 
and  you  anticipated  a  nearer  contest  with  an  eager- 
nesi  which  was  soon  to  be  gratified. 

On  the  8lh  of  January  the  final  effort  was  made. 
At  the  dawn  of  day  the  batteries  opened,  and  the 
columns  advanced.  Knouing  that  the  volunteers 
from  Tennessee,  and  the  militia  from  Kentucky, 
were  stationed  on  your  left,  it  was  there  they  di- 
recti!d  their  chief  attack. 

R^^sonin;  always  from  false  principles,  they  ex- 
pected iittie  opposition  from  men,  whose  officers 


252  MEMOIRS    OF 

even  were  not  in  uniform,  who  were  ignorant  of  the 
rules  of  dress,  and  who  had  never  been  cojied  int9 
dtsripline.  Fatal  mistake!  a  fire  incessantly  kept 
up,  directed  with  a  calmness  and  unerring  aim, 
strewed  the  field  with  the  hravest  oflicers  and  men, 
of  the  column  w  hich  slowly  advanced,  according  to 
the  most  approved  rules  of  European  tactics,  and 
was  cut  down  hy  the  untutored  courage  of  Ameri- 
can militia.  Unable  to  sustain  this  galling  and 
unceasini*  fire,  some  hundreds  nearest  the  intrench- 
luent  called  for  quarter,  w  hich  w  as  granted — the 
rest  retreating,  were  rallied  at  gome  distance,  but 
only  to  make  them  a  surer  mark  for  the  grape  and 
cannister  shot  of  our  artillery,  which,  w  ithout  exag- 
geration,  mowed  down  whtde  ranks  at  every  dis- 
charge;  and  at  length  they  precipitately  retired 
from  the  field. 

Our  rii^ht  had  only  a  short  contest  to  sustain  with 
a  few  rash  men,  who  fatally  for  themselves,  forced 
their  entrance  into  the  unfinished  redoubt  on  the 
river.  They  were  quickly  dispossessed,  and  this 
glorious  day  terminated  with  the  loss  to  the  enemy, 
of  their  commander-in-chief  and  one  major-general 
liilled,  another  major  general  wounded,  the  most 
experienced  and  bravest  of  their  oflicers,  and  more 
than  three  thousand  mtn  killed,  wounded  and  miss- 
ing, while  our  ranks,  my  friends,  were  thinned  on- 
ly by  the  loss  of  se\en  of  our  brave  companions  kill- 
ed, and  six  disabled  by  wounds — wonderful  interpo- 


ANCREW    JACKSON.  253 

si!ion  of  heaven  i  unexampled  event  in  the  history 
x>{  war  f 

Let  us  be  grateful  to  the  God  of  battles,  who  has 
directed  the  arrows  of  indignation  against  our  in- 
vaders, while  he  covered  with  his  protecting  shield 
the  brave  defenders  of  their  country. 

After  this  unsuccessful  and  disastrous  attempt, 
their  spirits  uerc  broken,  their  force  was  destroyed, 
and  their  whole  attention  was  employed  in  provi- 
ding the  means  of  escape.  This  they  have  eifect- 
ed ;  leaving  their  heavy  artillery  in  our  power,  and 
many  of  their  wounded  to  our  clemency.  The  con- 
sequences of  this  short  but  decisive  campaign,  are 
incalculably  important.  The  pride  of  our  arrogant 
enemy  humbled,  his  forces  broken,  his  lea(lers  kill- 
ed, his  insolen'  hopes  of  our  disunion  frustrated  — 
his  expectation  of  rioting  in  our  spoils  and  wasting 
our  country,  changed  into  ignominious  deff^dt, 
shameful  flight,  and  a  reluctant  ackuouledgmenf  of 
the  humanity  andhindness  of  those,  whom  he  had 
doomed  to  ail  the  horrors  and  humiliation  of  a  con- 
quered state. 

On  the  other  side,  unanimity  established,  disaffec- 
tion crushed,  confidence  restored,  your  country 
saved  from  conquest,  your  property  from  pillage, 
your  wives  and  daughters  from  insult  and  violation 
—.the  union  preserved  from  dismemberment,  and 
perhaps,  a  period  put  by  this  decisive  stroke,  to  a 
bloody  and  savage  war.     These,  ray  brave  friends. 


^54  MKMOIRS   OF 

are  the  consequences  of  the  eiTorts  you  have  made, 
and  the  success  with  which  they  have  been  crowned 
by  heaven. 

Tijese  important  results  have  been  elTected  by 
the  united  courage  and  perseverance  of  the  army ; 
but  which  the  dillerent  corps,  as  well  as  the  indi- 
viduals that  compose  it,  have  vied  with  each  other 
in  their  exertions  to  produce.  The  gratitude,  the 
admiration  of  their  country,  offers  a  fairer  reward, 
than  that  which  any  praises  of  the  general  can  he- 
stow,  and  the  best  is  that  of  which  they  can  never 
be  deprived,  the  consciousness  of  having  done  their 
duty,  and  of  meriting  the  applause  they  will  receive. 

The  history  of  modern  warfare  furnishes  innu- 
merable instances  of  enthusiastic  and  ardent  appeals 
to  the  pride  and  courage  of  soldiers,  before  battles 
were  fought,  and  most  extravagant  exaggerations  of 
their  achievements,  after  Ihey  were  won.  In  the 
addresses  of  Gen.  Jackson  to  bis  troops,  before  he 
entered  the  sanguinary  field,  nothing  is  to  be  dis- 
covered but  the  cool,  dignified,  and  majestic  lan- 
guage of  a  great  commander, /7rrp«rrd  for  victory. 
When  he  had  vanquished  his  foe,  tlie  highest  en- 
comium he  could  bestow  upon  his  officers  and  sol- 
diers was,  that  they  had  answered  his  expectations. 
In  no  instance  but  one,  in  the  numerous  battles  he 
had  fought  and  conquered,  had  he  occasion  to  ex- 
press regret  at  the  conduct  of  any  portion  of  hi? 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  255 

troops ;  and  in  that  very  instance,  he  gained  one  of 
the  greatest  victories  recorded  in  modern  history— 
that  of  the  8th  January,  1815.  His  agitation  at 
losinij  the  right  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  for  only  a 
few  hours,  compelled  him  to  say  to  a  section  of  his 
little  army,  that  he  was  disappointed, 

Wi'h  Gen.  Jackson,  victory  was  never  the  result 
of  accident  or  fortune.  It  was  the  necessary  efi'ect 
produced  by  a  known  cause.  Although  invariably 
victorious,  it  would  be  a  miserable  eulogy  to  pro- 
nounce him  a  fortunate  commander.  He  left  no- 
thing to  be  decided  by  the  capricious  *'  fortune  of 
war,'*  which  as  often  gives  glory  to  a  blundering 
braggadocio,  as  to  an  accomplished  general.  He 
acted  as  though  he  was  the  guardian,  as  well  as  the 
commander  of  the  soldiers,  and  as  if  he  was  ac- 
countable for  every  limb  and  life  lost  by  executing 
his  commands.  The  manner  in  which  he  defended 
New -Orleans,  evinced  the  solicitude  he  felt  for  the 
lives  of  his  soldiers ;  and  although  he  was  conscious 
that  it  would  assuage  the  sorrow  of  the  surviving 
friends  of  slain  heroes,  to  declare  that  they  died 
covered  with  glory,  yet,  in  restoring  them  to  the 
bosoms  of  their  connections,  with  the  laurels  of 
victory  upon  their  living  brows,  and  the  ardour  of 
patriotism  in  their  beating  hearts,  he  felt  as  if  he 
was  rendering  to  his  countrymen  and  to  his  country, 
the  best  account  of  his  battles  and  his  victories. 

The  astonishing  disparity  in  the  losses  of  the 


^5€  MEBiaiES    OF 

American  and  British  armies,  would  stagger  the 
belief  of  the  reader,  were  it  not  presented  to  him 
from  most  indubitable  evidence.  P>om  r fficial  re- 
ports, now  in  the  AVar  Office,  it  appears  that  the 
whole  loss  of  the  Americans,  before  New-OrJeans, 
and  at  the  mouth  of  the  jMississippi,  was  as  follows : 

Killed.     Wounded.     Missing.      Total. 

Bee.  23d,  :  :  :  ^4     :  115  :  r4  :  213 

Dec.  28th,  :  :  :  7     :  8  :  00  :  15 

Jan.  1st,     :  :  :  :  11     :  23  :  00  :  34 

Jan.  8th,    :  :  :  :  13*  :  30  :  19  ;  62 


From  Olh  to  irth,  at  )   «  -.  ^^ 

Fort  St.  Philips,      5  ^     "         ^     -     ^^ 


9 

333 


Thus  it  appears  that  but  57  were  killed—of  the 
183  wounded,  it  is  not  known  that  any  one  died; 
and  of  the  93  missing,  it  is  not  known  that  but  one 
deserted,  and  he  was  hung  before  tiie  British  camp, 
by  order  of  the  commander,  immediately  after  the 
final  victory  over  him.f  Notwithstanding  the  se- 
verity of  the  season — the  excessive  labour  and  fa- 
tigue of  the  troops,  and  the  want  of  camp  equipage, 
but  few  died  ;  so  that  it  may  be  said  of  Gen.  Jack- 

*  But  seven  were  killed  in  the  engagement. 

t  This  m\a  was  the  only  fleserter  from  Gen.  Jackson's  army.  He 
told  Sir  E'lward  ivhere  the  weakest  part  of  the  American  lines  were, 
having  nothing  but  Tennessee  and  Kentucky  militia  to  defend  it.  The 
principal  column  of  the  enemy  attacked  that  point.  After  the  defeat^ 
^hey  railtd  at  the  deserter  and  hung  him. 


ANDREW    JACKSON. 


251 


son,  as  it  was  said  of  an  ancient  warrior—**  He  7vas 
twice  a  conqueror y  for  he  brought  home  full  num- 
bers,'* 

The  loss  of  the  British,  from  their  own  acknowl- 
edgment, and  from  the  most  correct  accounts,  must 
have  been  from  4500  to  5000.  The  mention  of 
New-Orleans,  while  it  calls  up  the  most  grateful 
and  animated  recollection  of  Americans,  reminds 
Englishmen  of  one  of  the  most  disastrous  defeats 
recorded  in  the  history  of  their  country. 


X2 


^58  MEMOIRS    O/ 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Gen.  Jackson  nppoints  a  Day  of  Tlianksgiving  and  Praise,  for  the  vic- 
toiies  olitaiurd.  an  1  for  the  pirservation  of  the  city,  upon  the  23d 
Jaiiuni-y — Doct.  Dubourg*s  Address — the  General's  answer— con- 
tinues his  exrrtions  to  render  ihe  country  more  secure — surrendec 
of  Fort  Bo«yer— peace  proclaimed — discharge  of  troops — General 
Jackson's  address  to  them-  -Remark. 

The  atteniion  of  the  n-ader  is  now  to  be  called 
from  scenes  of  carnage,  wounds,  death,  deft  at,  and 
victory,  to  one,  the  most  d<  eply  interesting  that  can 
possibly  be  presented  to  the  view  of  man.  He  is  la 
be  suddenly  transported  from  those  appalling  scenes,^ 
which,  it  tears  are  permitted  to  soil  the  purity  of 
laeaven,  must  make  the  angels  weep,  to  one  which 
HI  list  make  them  rejoice. 

Gt  n.  Jackson,  his  gallant;  officers,  and  his  troops, 
although  loaded  with  earthly  honours,  and  greeted 
with  the  acclamations  of  a  grateful  and  protected 
people^  did  not  omit  to  render  that  homage  which 
is  due  to  that  Almighty  Being,  who  ''reigns  in  the 
armies  of  heaven  above,  as  nell  as  in  the  earth  be- 
neath,^^  A  day  of  thanksgiving  and  solemn  praise, 
was  appointed  by  the  general.  It  was  upon  the 
23d  of  January.  The  solemn  rites  were  performed 
in  the  Cathedral  in  New-Or'eans.  To  behold  a  war- 
^^o^R  yeteran,  like  Gen.  Jackson,  surrounded  by  hi? 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  259 

war-worn  officers  and  troops,  prostrated  upon  the 
altar  of  adoration,  aud  offering  to  the  God  of  Bat- 
tles, that  glory  which  the  world  had  bestowed  np* 
on  theni^  must  have  moved  the  heart  of  apathy  itselL 
It  is  totally  impossible  for  one  who  was  not  a  wit- 
ness of  the  scene,  to  have  a  conception  of  its  solemn 
grandeur.  The  solemn  peals  of  the  organ,  in  uni- 
son with  vocal  praises,  sent  up  to  heaven  the  grate- 
ful acknowledgments  of  a  preserved  people.  *'  Grim 
visag^d  nar  hud  smoothed  its  wrinkled  fronV"* — ttars 
of  exquisite  joy  rolled  down  the  cheeks  of  soldiers 
and  citizens,  antl  the  hearts  of  all  were  swollen  with 
gratitude  to  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords. 
The  Republic  was  safe ;.  a  vaunting  foe  was  over- 
thrown, and,  although  the  memories  of  the  few  who 
had  fallen  in  the  sanguinary  field — »*2rt  sad  remem- 
prance  roscy^^  it  was  a  subject  of  inexpressif)le  con« 
solation,  that  almost  all  the  soldiers  who  had  form« 
ed  the  impregnable  rampart  upon  the  plains  of  the 
Mississippi,  were  now  assera!)led  in  the  city,  which 
owed  its  preservation  to  their  valour,  and  to  the 
blessing  of  heaven. 

Upon  this  occasion,  the  Rev.  Dvoct.  Dubourg,  the 
administrator  apostolic  of  the  diocese  of  Louisiana, 
delivered  to  the  General  arj  address,  replete  with 
the  pious  effusions  of  the  Christian,  ami  the  elegan^ 
cies  of  the  scholar.  Although  it  has  long  been  be- 
fore the  public,  I  cannot  omit  to  enrich  this  volume 
by  inserting  a  part  of  it,  together  with  the  impres- 


260  MEMOIRS   O? 

sive  answer  of  Gen.  Jackson.  While  they  will  be 
read  with  rapture  by  the  Christian,  they  cannot 
fail  to  excite  the  admiration  of  the  patriot. 

The  venerable  minister  of  the  gospel  thiis  ad- 
dressed the  Hero  of  New-Orleans,  and  the  gallant 
officers  and  soldiers  who  had  followed  him  to  victo- 
ry, and  now  joined  him  in  adoration: — **  General, — 
AVhile  the  state  of  Louisiana,  in  the  joyful  trans- 
ports of  her  gratitude,  hails  you  as  her  deliverer, 
and  the  assertor  of  her  menaced  liberties— while 
grateful  America,  so  lately  wrapped  up  in  anxious 
suspense,  on  the  fate  of  this  important  city,  is  re- 
echoing from  shore  to  shore,  your  splendid  achieve- 
ments, and  preparing  to  inscribe  your  name  on  her 
immortal  rolls,  among  those  of  her  Washingtons — 
while  history,  poetry,  and  the  monumental  arts,  will 
vie,  in  consigning  to  the  admiration  of  the  latest 
posterity,  a  triumph,  perhaps,  unparalleled  in  their 
records — while  thus  raised  by  universal  acclamation, 
to  the  very  pinnacle  of  fame — how  easy  had  it  been 
for  yoUf  General,  to  forget  the  Pkime  JMover  of 
your  wonderful  successes,  and  to  assume  to  yourself 
a  praise,  which  must  essentially  return  to  that  ex- 
alted source,  whence  every  merit  is  derived.  But, 
better  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  true  glory,^ 
and  justly  placing  the  summit  of  your  ambition,  in. 
approving  yourself  the  worthy  instrument  of  hea- 
ven's merciful  designs,  the  first  impulse  of  your  re- 
ligious heart  was^  to  acknowledge  the  interpositioi 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  261 

of  Providence — your  first  step,  a  Bolemn  display  of 
your  liun)ble  sense  of  His  favours.  Still  agitated  at 
the  remembrance  of  those  dreadful  agonies,  from 
which  we  have  been  so  miraculously  rescued,  it  is 
our  pride  to  acknowledge,  that  the  Almighty  has 
truly  had  the  principal  hand  in  our  deliverance, 
and  to  follow  you,  General,  in  attributing  to  His  in- 
firn'te  goodness,  the  homage  of  our  unfeigned  grati- 
tude. Let  the  infatuated  votary  of  a  blind  chance, 
deride  our  credulous  simplicity  ;  let  the  cold  heart- 
ed atheist  look  for  the  explanation  of  important 
events,  to  the  mere  concatenation  of  human  causes: 
to  us,  the  whole  universe  is  loud  in  proclaiming  a 
Supreme  Ruler,  u  ho,  as  he  holds  the  hearts  of  men 
in  his  hand,  holds  also  the  thread  of  all  contingent 
occurrences. 

To  Him,  therefore,  our  most  fervent  thanks  are 
due,  for  our  late  unexpected  rescue.  It  is  Him  we 
intend  to  praise,  when  considering  you,  General,  as 
the  man  of  his  right  hand,  whom  he  has  taken  pains 
to  fit  out  for  the  important  commission  of  our  de» 
fence.  We  extol  that  fecundity  of  genius,  by 
which,  under  the  most  discouraging  distress,  you 
created  unforeseen  resources;  raised,  as  it  were, 
from  the  ground,  hosts  of  intrepid  warriors,  and 
provided  every  vulnerable  point  with  ample  means 
of  defence.  To  Him  we  trace  that  instinctive  supe- 
riority of  your  mind,  which  at  once  rallied  around 
you  universal  confidence:  impressed  one  irresistible 


562  AIEMOIRS    OF 

movement  to  all  the  jarring  elements  of  which  this 
political  machine  is  compose*!  ;  aroused  their  slum- 
bering spirits,  and  diiiused  throuirh  every  rani?  the 
noble  ardour  \\hich  glowed  in  your  bosom.  To 
Him,  in  fine,  we  address  our  acknowledgments  for 
that  consummate  prudence,  which  defeated  all  the 
combinations  of  a  sagacious  enemy,  entangled  him 
in  the  very  snares  which  he  had  spread  for  us,  and 
succeeded  in  effecting  his  utter  destruction,  without 
exposing  the  lives  of  our  citizens.  Immortal  thanks 
be  to  his  Supreme  Majesty,  for  sending  us  such  an 
instrument  of  His  bountiful  designs  !  A  gift  of  that 
value,  is  the  best  token  of  the  continuance  of  His 
protection— the  most  solid  encouragement  to  sue  for 
new  favours  Ihe  first,  which  it  emboldens  us  hum- 
bly to  supplicate,  as  nearest  our  tlirol)bi[jg  hearts,  is 
that  you  may  long  enjoy  the  honour  of  your  grate- 
ful country ;  of  which  you  will  permit  us  to  present 
you  a  pledge,  in  this  Wreath  of  Laurel.,  the  prize 
of  victory,  the  symbol  of  immortality.  The  next  is 
aspecfiy  and  honourable  termination  of  the  biooily 
contest,  in  which  we  are  engaged.  No  one  has  so 
efiicaciously  laboured  as  you.  General,  for  the  accel- 
eration of  that  blissful  period :  may  we  soon  reap 
that  sweetest  fruit  of  your  splendid  and  uninterrupt- 
ed victories.*' 

The  General  thus  replied  to  this  solemn  ami  im* 
pressive  address.     His  allusion  to  the   »* cypress 


ANDREW    JACKSON*  263 

leaf,"  a  symbol  of  grief  and  wo,  is  inimitably  fine. 
Cypress  groves  u  ere  constantly  in  view  of  the  rival 
armies,  diirinii  their  sanguinary  conflicts,  and  they 
^vill  hereafter  remind  Englishmen  of  the  carnage 
committed  amongst  his  infatuated  countrymen,  in- 
vading our  soil,  by  the  gallant  armies  of  the  Repub- 
lic in  defending  it. 

''Reverend  Sir, — I  receive,  with  e;rafitude  and 
pleasure,  the  symbol  crown,  which  piety  has  prepa- 
red. I  receive  it  in  the  name  of  the  brave  men 
who  so  etfectiially  seconded  ray  exertions — they 
well  deserve  the  laurels  which  their  country  will 
bestow. 

For  myself,  to  have  been  instrumental  in  the  de- 
liverance of  Siich  a  country,  is  the  greatest  blessing 
that  heaven  could  confer^  That  it  has  been  effect- 
ed with  so  little  loss — that  so  few  tears  should  cloud 
the  smiles  of  our  triumph,  and  not  a  cypress  leaf 
be  interwovf  n  in  the  wreath  u  hich  you  present,  is  a 
soijrce  of  the  most  exquisite  pleasure.  I  thank  you, 
reverend  Sir,  most  sincerely,  for  the  prayers  which 
you  offer  up  for  my  happiness.  iVIay  those  your 
patriotism  dictates  for  our  beloved  country,  hv  first 
heard  ;  and  may  mine,  for  your  individual  pros- 
perity, as  well  as  that  of  the  consre^ation  commit- 
ted to  vour  care,  be  favourably  received  :  the  pros- 
peritys  wealth,  and  happiness  of  this  city,  will  then 


264j  MEBiOIRS    OF 

be  coiiimfnsurate  with  the  courage  and  other  quali 
ties  of  its  inhabitants." 

Gen.  Jackson,  although  he  felt  as  if  Louisiana  and 
its  capital  were  safe,  did  not  remit  any  of  his  exer- 
tions to  renrler  the  country  still  more  secure.  With 
the  assistance  of  his  hcloved  associates,  Generals 
Coffee,  Carroll,  Adair,  ike  and  the  troops  under 
their  immediate  coninian<l,  he  continued  to  aug- 
ment the  stren2;th  of  his  lines  on  each  bank  of  the 
Mississippi.  From  his  uniform  language  and  con- 
duct at  this  period,  it  uould  ap5)ear  th  it  he  suppo- 
sed the  negociations  at  Ghent,  would  not  terminate 
amicably.  In  one  of  his  letters  to  Mr.  Monroe,  the 
Secretary  of  War,  he  gays — **  In  my  own  mind,  there 
is  but  little  doubt,  that  his  [the  British  command- 
er's] Inst  exertions  have  been  made  in  this  quarter, 
at  any  rate  for  the  prcsmt  -jpason  ;  and  by  the  next, 
I  hope  we  shall  be  fully  prepared  for  him."  In  an- 
other one  he  pays — "  Wherever  I  command,  such  a 
belief,  [that  the  en^^my  would  retire,]  shall  never 
occrision  any  relaxation  in  the  measures  of  resistance. 
I  am  but  too  sensible  that  the  moment  when  the  en- 
emy is  opposing  us,  is  not  the  most  proper  to  pro- 
vidn  for  him  " 

Bythe2ithof  January,  every  hostile  foot  was 
driv'  n  from  the  soil  of  LouiFiatia,  and  Gen.  Lam- 
bert and  his  army,  were  compelled  to  seek  for  safety 
in  iht  fleet  of  Admiral  Cochrane,  and  even  that  was 


ANDREW    JACKSO^.  26& 

cbhipelied  to  keep  at  a  respectful  distance  from  the 
shores  of  the  Republic. 

Before  the  8th  Fehruary,  the  British  forces  had 
positive  and  cert  lin  intelligence,  that  a  treaty  of 
pedce  between  America  and  Great  Britain,  had  been 
signed  by  the  commissioners  of  the  two  governments 
at  Ghent.  They  were  aware,  however,  that  it  was 
not  bitidirfg  ur)\\\  rat i6cat ions  were  exchaTigcd.  Anx- 
ious to  viripe  off  the  indelible  disgrace  they  had  in- 
curred  at  New-Orleans,  upon  the  8th  of  January, 
they  assailed  Fort  Bowyer,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Mobile,  upon  the  8th  of  February,  with  their  whole 
Jand  and  naval  forces.  The  gallant  Lawrence  was 
still  there;  but  resistance  would  have  been  the  sa- 
crifice of  his  "little  phalanx/'  He  surrendered 
the  fort ;  bnt  one  condition  was,  that  the  Americans 
should  march  out  of  it,  '•'•  with  colours  flyings  and 
drums  beating — the  officer's  retaining  their  swords.*^ 
The  ^'  commanders-in-chief  of  his  Britannic  ma- 
jesfj/^s  land  and  naval  forces  upon  the  American  sta- 
tion,"*^  are  welcome  to  all  the  little  glory  they  claim> 
for  taking  this  little  fort,  only  to  surrender  it  up 
again. 

Upon  the  13th  JFebruary,  Gen.  Jackson  was  ad- 
vised of  the  ratification  of  the  Treaty  of  Peace,  by 
an  express  from  the  War  Department.  The  follow- 
ing address  to  his  troops,  upon  ordering  them  to  be 
marched  home,  will  always  be  read  with  delight- 

y 


^G6  MEMOIRS    OF 

«  The  Major- General  is  at  length  enabled  to  per- 
form the  pleasing  task,  of  restorin^^  to  Tennessee, 
Kentucky,  Louisiana,  and  the  territory  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, the  brave  troops  who  have  acted  such  a 
distinguished  part,  in  the  war  which  has  just  ter- 
minated. In  restoring  these  brave  men  to  their 
homes,  much  exertion  is  expected  of,  and  great  re- 
sponsibility imposed  on,  the  commanding  officers  of 
the  different  corps.  It  is  required  of  Maj.  Gens, 
Carroll  and  Thomas,  and  Brig.  General  Coffee,  to 
march  their  commands,  without  "innecessftry  delay, 
to  their  respective  states.  The  troops  from  the 
Mississippi  territory,  and  state  of  Louisiana,  both 
militia  and  volunteers,  will  be  immediately  muster- 
ed out  of  service,  paid,  and  discharged. 

The  Major-General  has  the  satisfaction  of  an- 
nouncing the  approbation  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  to  the  conduct  of  the  troops  under 
his  command,  expressed  in  flattering  terms,  through 
the  honourable  the  Secretary  of  War.  In  parting 
with  these  brave  men,  whose  destinies  have  been  so 
long  united  with  his  own,  and  in  whose  labours  and 
glories  it  is  his  happiness  and  his  boast  to  have  par- 
ticipated, the  commanding  general  can  neither  sup- 
press his  feelings,  nor  give  utterance  to  them  as  he 
ought.  In  what  terms  can  he  bestow  suitable  praise 
on  merit  so  extraordinary — so  unparalleled  ?  Let 
him,  in  one  burst  of  joy,  gratitude,  and  exultation, 
exclaim— these  are  the  saviours  af  their  country — 


ANDREW  JACKSON. 


2Qr 


these  the  patriot  soldiers  who  triumphed  over  the 
invincibles  of  Wellington,  and  conquered  the  con- 
querors of  Europe  ! 

With  what  patience  did  you  submit  to  priva- 
tions—with what  fortitude  did  you  endure  fatigue— 
what  valour  did  you  display  in  the  day  of  battle! 
You  have  secured  to  America  a  proud  name  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth— a  glory  which  will  never 
perish.  Possessing  those  dispositions,  which  equally 
adorn  the  citizen  and  the  soldier,  the  expectations 
of  your  country  will  be  met  in  peace,  as  her  wishes 
have  been  gratified  in  war.  Go  then,  my  brave 
companions,  to  your  homes ;  to  those  tender  con- 
nections, and  blissful  scenes,  which  render  life  so 
dear — full  of  honour,  and  crowned  with  laurels 
which  will  never  fade.  When  participating,  in  the 
bosoms  of  your  families,  tfee  enjoyment  of  peaceful 
life,  with  what  happiness  will  you  not  look  back  to 
the  toils  you  have  borne — to  the  dangers  you  have 
encountered  ?  How  will  all  your  past  exposures  be 
converted  into  sources  of  inexpressible  delight? 
Who,  that  never  experienced  your  sufferings,  will 
be  able  to  appreciate  your  joys  ?  The  man  who 
slumbered  ingloriously  at  home,  during  your  pain- 
ful marches,  your  nights  of  watchfulness,  and  your 
days  of  toil,  will  envy  you  the  happiness  which 
these  recollections  will  afford — still  more  will  he 
envy  thf  gratitude  of  that  country,  which  you  have 
so  eminently  contributed  to  save.     Continue,  fellow^- 


^^ 


JklEMGISS    01, 


soldiers,  on  your  passage  to  your  several  destkm- 
lions,  to  preserve  that  subordination,  that  dignified 
and  manly  deportment,  whicii  have  so  ennobled 
your  character.^ 

While  the  commanding  general  is  thus  giving 
indulgence  to  his  feelings,  towards  those  brave  com- 
jpanions,  who  accompanied  him  through  difficulties, 
and  danger,  he  cannot  permit  the  names  of  Blount j 
and  Shelby,  and  Holmes,  to  pass  unnoticed.  With 
what  generous  ardour  and  patriotism,  have  these 
distinguished  governors  contributed  all  their  exer° 
tjons;  and  the  success  which  has  resulted,  will  be 
to  them  a  reward  more  grateful  than  any  which 
the  pomp  of  title,  or  the  splendour  of  wealth,  can 
bestow. 

What  happiness  it  is  to  the  commanding  general, 
that  while  danger  was  before  him,  he  was,  on  no 
occasion,  compelled  to  use  towards  his  companions 
in  arms,  either  severity  or  rsbuke.  If,  after  the. 
enemy  had  retired,  improper  passions  began  their 
empire  in  a  few  unworthy  bosoms,  and  rendered  a 
resort  to  energetic  meas.ires  necessary  for  their  sup- 
pression, he  has  not  confounded  the  innocent  with 
the  guilty — the  seduced  with  the  seducers.  To- 
wards you,  fellow-soldiers,  the  most  cheering  recol- 
lections exist,  blended,  alas !  with  regret,  that  dis- 
ease and  war  should  have  ravished  from  us  so  many 
worthy  companions.  But  the  memory  of  the  cause 
m  which  they  perished,   and  of.  the  yj>/?-^c^5  which 


ANDREW  JACKSON,  269 

animated  them,  while  Jiving,  must  occupy  the  place 
where  sorrow  would  claim  to  dwell. 

Farewell,  fellow-soldiers.  The  expression  of  your 
General's  thanks  is  feeble,  but  the  gratitude  of  a 
country  of  freemen  is  yours — yours  the  applause  of 
an  admiring  world." 

In  this  address  to  the  troops,  the  solicitude  of 
Gen.   Jackson   for  the  reputation  of  the  army,  is 
clearly  evinced.     Aware  that   the  exultation  they 
felt  from  the  victories  they  had  obtained,  and  the 
animation  that  aroused  them  to  enthusiasm,  at  the 
"  wreath  of  laurel"  bestowed   u^xjn  them  by  their 
countrymen,   might  occasion  aberrations  from   the 
regular  walk  of  sober  citizens,  he  exhorted  them  not 
to  tarnish  in  peace,  the  glory  they  had  acquired  in 
war.     The  troops    thus  dismissed    by  their   com- 
mander, had  to  march  from  5  to  800  miles,  before 
they  reached  their  homes.     The  citizens,  inhabiting 
the  country  through  which  they  passed,  so  far  from 
treating  them  with  distant  coldness,  and  extorting 
from  them  the  pittance  they  had  obtained  for  de- 
fending   the  Republic,    (conduct    not  unknown  to 
some  parts  of  America,)   received  them  with  un- 
bounded   hospitality,    and  congratulated  them  ae 
the  gallant  defenders  of  American  Independence. 


Y£ 


210 


AilEMOlRS  OJ 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Recapitulation  of  facts  relative  to  the  proclamatioD  of  Martial  La?r, 
writ  of  habeas  coi'piis,  Louaillier,  and  Judge  Hall — Arrest  of  GeOc 
Jackson — liis  .'t  fence,  convictioa,  and  fine — Trial  by  jury — Popular 
fceliiig— .»1odcration  of  Gen.  Jackson — he  advises  to  a  $acred  re- 
gard for  civil  power. 

It  uill  l)e  recollected  hy  the  reader,  that  upon 
the  16th  Deceii)f)er,  Grn.  Jackson  proclaimed  mar- 
tial law  in  New-Orleans,  and  in  the  environs  of  it. 
The  reasons  of  that  measure,  have  already  been 
briefly  given,  and  the. imperious  necessity  of  adopt- 
ing  it  demonstrated.  Next  to  the  efficient  nieas« 
ures  of  defence  below  the  city,  the  peo|.)Ie  are  in- 
debted to  tlie  temporary  exectition  of  this  system 
of  government,  for  their  salvation  from  the  horrors 
of  British  invasion. 

That  the  military  power  must  be  secondary  to 
ihe  civil,  is  an  axiom  in  our  Republic  generally  as- 
sented  to.  That  they  are  both,  on  great  emergen- 
cies, to  support  the  honour,  dignity,  and  independ- 
ence of  the  States,  is  a  sentiment  no  less  generally 
prevalent.  It  is  a  principle,  that  may  be  said  to 
be  coeval  with  the  formation  of  civil  governinentj 
that  laws  are  sijent .  in  the  midst  of  arms,  or  as  the 
B.O mans  had  it,  ^' leges  silent  inter  arnia"  These 
■pnnstlples  are  each  to  hsive  an  influence  upon  Ih*^ 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  2Th 

inind,  In  forming  an  opinion  of  the  propriety  of 
Gen.  J  ickson's  conduct,  in  regard  to  the  suppression 
of  the  civil  authority  at  New  Orleans,  anil  the  le- 
gislature of  Louisiana,  at  that  time  in  session  there. 
Nothing  l)ut  the  agitation  produced  at  the  ap- 
proach of  imniinent  danger  upon  fearful  minds,  can 
furnish  the  least  palliation  for  the  extraordinary 
course  pursued  by  the  city  police  of  New-OrleanSj 
and  the  legislature  of  Louisiana,  during  the  most 
portentous  period  of  their  history,  i»  e.  from  the 
16th  Decemher,  1814,  to  the  middle  of  Feb.  1815o 
These  confident  assertions  would  not  be  made,  were 
they  not  susceptible  of  the  clearest  proof.  The 
existence  of  that  state  of  things  which  led  to  the 
declaration  of  martial  law,  by  Gen.  Jackson,  has 
been  partly  unfolded,  by  presenting  the  reader,  in, 
a  preceding  chapter,  with  what  was  deemed  appro- 
priate extracts,  from  the  correspondence  of  GoVo 
Claiborne  with  hira.  This  evidence  must  be  com- 
pletely satisfactory,  as  it  was  derived  from  a  dis- 
tinguished civil  oliicer,  who  must,  with  distressing, 
reluctance,  have  detailed. to  the  world,  the  melan- 
oholy  confession  of  facts. so  derogatory  to  the  dig= 
aity  and  to  the  patriotism  of  the  legislature,  over 
whom  he  presided,  and  of  the  city,  where  they, 
were  in  session.  It  will  never,  however,  be  forgot* 
ten,  that  the  police  of  New  Orleans,  at  this  perilous 
period,  was  not  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  a> 
great  proportion  of  its  patriotic  citizens;^ nor  did 


272  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  timorous,  and  vascillating  policy  of  the  legisla- 
ture, coincide  with  the  ardent  desires  of  a  great 
number  of  its  members.  A  number  of  them  follow- 
ed the  governor  from  the  house  of  legislation,  to 
the  camp  of  Gen.  Jackson,  and  shewed  that  they 
felt  more  solicitous  to  preserve  their  state  from  the 
contaminating  footsteps  of  a  barbarous  enemy,  than 
to  remain  in  conclave,  debating  upon  questions  of 
punctilious  etiquette,  between  the  civil  and  milita- 
ry powers. 

It  has  already  been  stated,  that  a  majority  of  the 
senate  and  house  of  representatives,  in  the  state  le- 
gislature of  Louisiana,  were  opposed  to  the  requisi- 
tions which  Gov.  Claiborne  had  made  upon  the 
Louisiana  militia.  The  patriotism  of  the  militia, 
however,  was  not  to  be  damped  by  a  legislative 
veto,  and  they  followed  their  patriotic  governor  io 
the  field;  and  while  they  were  repelling  the  tre- 
mendous assault  of  the  enemy,  upon  the  28th  Dec. 
with  their  brave  countrymen  from  Tennessee,  Ken- 
tucky, and  Mississippi,  the  legislature  were  actually 
engaged  in  debating  the  question^  whether  the?/ 
should  not  surrender  the  capital  and  state,  to  the 
British  army— -and  make  the  best  terms  they  could 
with  Sir  Edward  Pakenham  !  i  Gen.  Jackson  order- 
ed Gov.  Claiborne,  to  repair  to  the  city  with  a  re- 
quisite number  of  troops,  to  preserve  it  from  the 
danger  of  their  own  legislature ,  while  he  would 
icfend  it  from  the  enemy  hanging  upon  its  border^. 


ANDREW   JACKSON4  2f^, 

Xhis  order  was  prompHy  execuiecl,  and  the  legisla- 
ture, hy  their  own  governoc,  was  prevented  from, 
sacrihcing  the  city  as  a  victim  to  their  ovmi  fears. 

To  see  a  state  legislature  gravely  taking  measures 
to  negociate  with  the  enemy  of  the  jvholr  Republic, 
evinced  almost  a  complete  deterioration  of  intellect. 
The  commander  of  the  forces,  so  far  as  his  power 
extends,  is  the  representaiive  of  the  national  pow» 
er — he  only  must  be  the  judge  of  what  will  conduce 
to  the  safety  of  the  country  ;  he  commands;  and  he 
only  is  accountable  for  the  measures  (hat  may  be 
adopted.  If  New. Orleans  had  been  sacrificed  by 
the  commander,  in  a  manner  as  dastardly  as  was, 
Detroit,  the  same  disgrace  would  novv  have  been 
attached  to  the  name  of  Jackson,  as  tlierf^  is  to 
that  of  Hull;  but  by  defending  it  against  the 
power  of  the  enemy,  the  intrigues  of  some  of  its 
citizf'ns,  and  the  feverish  agitation  of  the  legisiaturCj 
he  has  placed  hin>seif  beyond  the  reach  of  rivalshipj 
upon  the  rolls  of  lame. 

Without  pursuing  Ihis  subject  farther,  the  reader 
is  now  called  to  leave  the  Legislature  of  Louisiana, 
in  1814 — 15.  where  facts  have  left  it,  and  follow 
Gen.  Jackson  from  tiie  solemn  scene  of  thanksgiving 
to  heaven,  and  the  acclaiuations  of  a  preserved 
people  for  victories  obtained,  to,an?wer  for  his  mili- 
tary conduct  before  a  judicial  tribjinal.  To  a  be- 
liever in  the  doctrine  of  decrees,  it  would  seem  to 
l^ave  been  foreordained,    that    Andrew    Jackson. 


274i  MEMOIRS    OF 

should  be  the  instrument  of  procuring  the  greatest 
temporal  l)lessings  for  his  country  ;  and  that  the 
ingratitude  of  republics  should  have  made  him,  in 
some  respects,  a  signal  instance,  to  show  that  they 
are  still  ungrateful. 

Gen.  Jackson  found  himself  under  the  imperious 
■ecessity  of  continuing  the  execution  of  martial  law, 
until  the  enemy  had  totally  abandoned  his  hostile 
Tiews  against  New-Orleans  and  Mobile;  or  until 
the  rumours  of  peace  were  confirmed  by  official 
eommunications  from  the  War  Department.  Upon 
the  first  circulation  of  these  rumours,  the  troops 
evinced  the  utmost  impatience,  and  a  spirit  of  in- 
subordination pervaded  the  army  before  New -Or- 
leans. From  his  knowledge  of  the  innumerable 
stratagems  of  the  enemy,  to  gain  by  the  policy  of 
war,  what  they  had  despaired  of  acquiring  by  the 
force  of  arms,  Gen.  Jackson  was  apprehensive  that 
they  had  devised  this  report,  to  lull  the  soldiers  and 
citizens  into  a  fatal  security,  and  to  take  the  first 
favourable  opportunity  that  oii'ered,  to  invade  the 
country,  and  subject  it  to  British  dominion. 

A  member  of  the  legislature,  by  the  name  of 
Xo«fl27//>r,  had  published  in  a  New-Orleans  gazette, 
an  article  calculated  to  excite  rebellion  in  the  Amer- 
ican army,  and  to  encourage  the  enemy  to  renew 
their  attack.  Gen.  Jackson  immediately  ordered 
him  to  be  arrested  and  confined.  Mr.  Domhiic  A. 
UaUf  judge  of  the  district,  immediately  issued  a 


writ  of  habeas  corpus,  directed  to  Gen.  Jackson, 
commanding  him  to  show  reasons  for  the  detention 
of  this  legislator.  The  general,  knowing  that  his 
appearance  before  his  troops,  in  a  time  of  danger, 
was  of  more  consequence  to  his  country,  than  hig 
appearance  before  a  judge,  who  was  endeavouring, 
by  the  exercise  of  judicial  power,  to  protect  a  do- 
mestic enemy,  immediately  ordered  Judge  Hall  to 
be  arreMed  and  sent  out  of  the  city.  The  trial  was 
poUponcd  until  the  country  was  secured. 

In  a  very  few  days  after  this  commencement  of 
7vnr  htiwtm  the  military  power  of  the  American 
ilepublic,and  the  judicial  authority  at  New-Orleans, 
peace  was  officially  announced  to  Gtn.  Jackson, 
from  the  War  Department,  "  between  his  Britannic 
Mnjesii/  and  the  United  States,  and  between  their  re* 
spective  countries,  territories,  cities,  to?vns,  and  peO' 
pie,  of  every  degree,  without  exception  of  places  or 
persons''  The  joy  that  filled  every  heart  at  the 
return  of  peace,  was  mingled  with  gratitude  to 
Gen.  Jackson,  his  long  tried,  brave,  and  patriotic 
officers,  and  gallant  soldiers,  for  their  protection  is 
time  of  war.  But  amidst  this  exhiiirating  scene, 
the  sullen  murmurs  of  disappointed  faction,  were 
heard  in  discordant  notes ;  and  the  very  men  who 
were  indebted  to  Gen.  Jackson  and  his  army,  for 
the  preservation  of  their  lives,  fortunes  and  fami- 
lies, seemed  to  be  actuated  by  the  bitterest  malice 
against  him. 


2Y^  MEMOIRS    OF 

It  was  upon  the  11th  March,  that  Judge  Hali 
tvas  removed  from  New-Orleans-;— upon  the  13»h, 
the  ratification  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent  was  officially 
announced  there-=— upon  the  19th,  military  opera- 
tions were  brojight  to  a  close  between  the  two  ar- 
toies — and  upon  the  31st,  Gen.  Jrickson  was  arrest- 
ed and  hrodt^ht  f)eroTe  the  same  Judge  Ha/l,  to  an- 
swer for  his  contempt  of  the  covrt,  for  not  answer- 
ing instanter,  to  the  habras  corpus,  and  for  impris- 
oning the  Judge  who  issued  it  !  I  From  the  nature 
t)f  the  subject,  and  the  mode  of  proceedins:,  this 
may  be  pronounced  by  the  legal  profession^  to  be 
causn  prhruz  imprrsaionis. 

Called  thus  suddenly  from  the  encakipmewt  of  an 
army,  before  a  court  of  law,  Gen..  Jackson  divested 
himself  of  the  stern  character  of  the  soldier,  and 
resumed  the  more  gentle  one  of  the  advocate — not 
to  defend  a  client,  as  he  often  had  done,  against 
groundless  charges  ;  but  to  save  himself  from  the 
Vengeance  of  infuriated  malice.  The  defence  he 
made,  has  been  before  the  public  ever  since  he  made 
it.  It  is  a  source  of  regret,  that  the  insertion  of  it 
lent  ire,  cannot  be  made.  It  comprises  hot  only  the 
facts  upon  which  it  was  grounded,  but  a  profound 
disquisition  upon  the  civil  and  military  power,  in  a 
timr  of  imminent  danger.  The  followina:  selections 
froni  it  will  show  the  reasons,  in  addition  to  those 
already  given,  why  he  procldimed  and  enforced 
martial  law— imprisoned  a  leji^islative  scribbler— =» 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  2(7 

!3eg!ec<e(l  to  regard  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus^  and 
compelled  the  jiidi^e  who  issued  it  to  leave  the  city 
of  New-Orleans.     In  this  defence,  the  general  says, 

"  A  disciplined  and  powerful  army  was  on  our 
coaFt,  commanded  by  officers  of  tried  valour,  and 
consummate  skill ;  their  fleet  had  already  destroyed 
the  feeble  defence,  on  which,  alone,  we  could  rely, 
to  prevent  their  landing  on  our  shores. 

Their  point  of  attack  was  uncertain — a  hundred 
inlets  were  to  be  guarded,  by  a  force  not  sufficient 
in  number  for  one;  we  had  no  lines  of  defence ; 
treason  lurked  amongst  us,  and  only  waited  the  mo- 
ment of  expected  defeat,  to  show  itself  openly. 

Our  men  were  few,  and  of  those  (gw,  not  all  were 
armed  ;  our  utter  ruin,  if  we  failed,  at  hand,  and 
inevitable;  everything  depended  on  the  prompt 
and  energetic  use  of  the  means  we  possessed,  in 
calling  the  whole  force  of  the  community  info  ac- 
tion ;  it  was  a  contest  for  the  very  existence  of  the 
state,  and  every  nerve  was  to  be  strained  in  its  de- 
fence. The  physical  force  of  every  individual,  his 
moral  faculties,  his  property,  and  the  energy  of  his 
example,  uere  to  be  called  into  action,  and  hntant 
action.  No  delay — no  hesitation — no  inquiry  about 
rights,  or  all  was  lost ;  and  every  thing  dear  to  man, 
his  property,  life,  the  honour  of  his  family,  his 
country,  its  constitution  and  laws,  were  swept  away 
by  the  avowed  principles,  the  open  practice  of  the 


2r8  MEMOIRS    OP 

enemy,  with  whom  we  had  to  ccntend.  Fortifica^ 
tions  were  to  be  erected,  supplies  procured,  arms 
souglit  for,  requisitions  made,  the  emissaries  of  the 
enemy  watched,  hirking  treason  overawed,  insub- 
ordination punished,  and  the  contagion  of  cowardly 
example  to  be  stopped. 

In  this  crisis,  and  under  a  firm  persuasion  that 
none  of  those  objects  could  be  elTected,  by  the 
exercise  of  the  ordinartj  powers  confided  to  him — . 
under  a  solemn  conviction  that  the  country  com- 
mitted to  his  care,  coidd  be  saved  by  that  measure 
only,  from  utter  ruin — under  a  religious  belief,  that 
he  was  performing  the  most  important  an<i  sacred 
duty,  the  respondent  proclaimed  martial  law. 
He  intended,  by  that  measure,  to  supercede  such 
civil  powers,  as  in  their  operation  interfered  with 
those  he  was  obliged  to  exercise.  He  thought,  in 
such  a  moment,  constitutional  forms  must  be  sus- 
pended, for  the  permanent  preservation  of  constitu- 
tional rights,  and  that  there  could  be  no  question 
whether  it  were  best  to  depart,  for  a  moment,  from 
the  enjoyment  of  our  dearest  privileges,  or  have 
them  wTested  from  us  for  ever.  He  knew,  that  if 
the  civil  magistrate  were  permitted  to  exercise  his 
usual  functions,  none  of  the  measures  necessary  to 
avert  the  awful  fate  that  threatened  us,  could  be 
expected.  Personal  liberty  cannot  exist,  at  a  time 
when  every  man  is  required  to  become  a  soldier. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  2W 

Private  property  cannot  be  secured,  when  its  use  is 
indispensable  to  the  public  safety. 

Unlimited  liberty  of  speech  is  incompatible  with 
the  discipline  of  a  camp;  and  that  of  the  press, 
more  dangerous  still,  when  made  the  vehicle  of 
conveyinii;  intelligence  to  the  enemy,  or  exciting 
mutiny  among  the  troops.  To  have  suffered  the 
uncontrolled  enjoyment  of  any  of  those  rights,  dur- 
ing the  time  of  the  iate  invasion,  would  have  been 
to  abandon  the  defence  of  the  country.  The  civil 
mapjistrate  is  the  guardian  of  those  rights ;  but  no 
further." 

In  perusing  the  preceding  extract,  the  reader 
roust  feel  a  pride  in  reflecting,  that  Gen.  Jackson,. 
and  many  other  officers  in  the  army  of  the  Republic, 
have  acqciired  the  science  of  Statesmen,  as  well  as 
the  fame  of  Soldiers. 

The  General,  in  his  masterly  defence,  minutely 
and  forcibly  assigns  the  reasons  for  the  course  he 
pursued  in  re8,ard  to  Louaillier,  the  writ  of  habeas 
corpus,  and  Judge  Hail ;  and  proceeds — 

"  To  have  silently  looked   on  such  an  offence, 
without  making  any  attempt   to  punish  it,  would 
have  been  a  formal  surrender  of  all  discipline,  all 
order,  all  personal  dignity,  and  public  safety.  This 
souid  not  be  done  :.  and  the  respondent  immediately- 


!^80  MEMOIRS    OF 

•rdered  the  arrest  of  the  offender.  A  writ  of  habeas 
corpus  was  directed  to  issue  for  his  enlargement. 
The  very  case  which  had  been  foreseen  ;  the  very 
contingency  on  which  martial  law  was  intended  to 
operate,  had  now  occurred.  The  civil  magistrate 
seemed  to  think  it  his  duty,  to  enforce  the  enjoy- 
ment of  civil  rights,  although  the  consequences 
which  have  been  described,  would  probably  have 
resulted.  An  unbending  sense  of  what  he  seemed 
to  think  his  station  required,  induced  him  to  order 
the  liberation  of  the  prisoner.  This,  under  the  re- 
spondent's sense  of  duty,  produced  a  conflict,  which 
it  was  his  w  ish  to  avoid. 

No  other  course  remained,  than  to  enforce  the 
principles  which  he  had  laid  down  as  his  guide,  and 
to  suspend  the  exercise  of  the  judicial  power  when- 
ever it  inti^fered  with  the  necessary  means  of  de- 
fence. The  only  way  effectually  to  do  this,  was 
to  place  the  judge  in  a  situation,  in  which  his  inter- 
ference could  not  counteract  the  measures  of  de- 
fence, or  give  countenance  to  the  mutinous  dispo- 
sition that  had  shown  itself  in  so  alarming  a  degree. 
Merely  to  have  disregarded  the  writ,  would  have 
increased  the  evil,  and  to  have  obeyed  it  was  wholly 
repugnant  to  the  respondent's  ideas  of  the  pnblic 
safety,  and  tohisoun  sense  of  duty.  The  judge 
was  therefore  confined,  and  removed  beyond  thf 
lines  of  defence." 


ANI>REW    JACKSON. 


281 


Mter  denying  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court,  and 
claiming,  as  a  constitutional  right,  a  trial  by  jury, 
he  thus  concludes  a  defence,  which  the  jurist  may 
read  with  advantage,  and  the  patriot  with  admi- 
ration. 

"  This  was  the  conduct  of  the  respondent,  and 
these  the  motives  which  prompted  it.  They  have 
been  fairly  and  openly  exposed,  tq  this  tribunal, 
and  to  the  world,  and  would  not  have  been  accom- 
panied by  any  exceptions  or  waver  of  jurisdiction, 
if  it  had  been  deemed  expedient  to  give  him  that 
species  of  trial,  to  which  he  thinks  himself  entitled 
by  the  constitution  of  his  country. 

The  powers  which  the  exigency  of  the  times 
forced  him  to  assume,  have  been  exercised  exclu- 
sively for  the  public  good  ;  and,  by  the  blessing  of 
God,  they  have  been  attended  with  unparalleled 
success.  They  have  saved  the  country  ;  and  what- 
ever may  be  the  opinion  of  that  country,  or  the  de- 
crees of  its  courts,  in  relation  to  the  means  he  has 
used,  he  can  never  regret  that  he  employed  them." 

The  trial  by  jury,  however  much  it  may  be 
sneered  at,  by  the  possessors  and  advocates  of  un- 
defined power,  has  secured  to  Englishmen  the  few 
rights  remaining  to  them.  To  Americans  it  is  se- 
cured by  our  inimitable  Constitution;  but  in  the 
instance  before  the  reader,  it  was  refused  to  GeB> 
Z2 


282  :\i£3ioiRs  OF 

Jackson,  by  calling  in  the  aid  of  the  common  law 
of  England,  lo  ensure  the  conviction  of  the  respon- 
dent \nT  contempt  of  court  !  !  Dominic  A.  Hall -was 
the  judge  whose  dignity  was  alleged  to  he  aliecled 
by  contemj)t  of  court — Dominic  A.  Hall  was  the 
mail  who  was  said  to  have  sustained  an  individual 
injury  by  the  operation  of  martial  law — Dominic 
A.  Hall  was  the  judge  who  ivould  have  jurisdiction 
of  the  case— who  deprived  Gen.  Jackson  of  a  trial 
by  jury,  and  who  amerced  him  in  a  fine  of  a  thou- 
sand dollars  !  !  Half  of  this  sum  must  have  been 
expended  in  delay&,.costs  of  prosecution,  and  in  the 
expenses  of  making  defence,  and  the  whole  fifteen 
hundred  dollars,  was  drawn  out  of  the  j)ocket  of 
the  man  whose  indefatigable  exertions,  consummate 
wisdom,  and  gallant,  courage,  had  secured  to  the 
judge  the  privilege  of  Convicting  him. 

The  records  of  Judge  Jeil'ery  himself,  scarcely 
furnished  a  parallel  with  this  proceeding.  An  Eng- 
lish y^r^  saved  Penn  anct  Meade — afterwards  the 
Dean  of  St»  Jsnph,  and  in  the  present  reign,  looker 
Hardij  and  Thelwelly  from  the  grasp  of  a  vindictive 
ministry,  and  subservient  judiciary  ;  and  had  Gen. 
Jackson  been  arraigned  before  an  impartial  and  an 
inilependent  jury  of  Americans,  allowed  to  consider 
his  w'Ao/^case,  with  what  readiness  would  they  have 
pronounced  a  verdict  of  *'  not  guilty,"  and  changed 
the  indignant  murmurs  of  the  audience  at  his  con- 
^IctioH,  into  joyous  acclamations  at  his  acquittal. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  283 

Gen.  Jackson  immediately  satisfied  the  judgment, 
and  retired  from  the  court  to  his  carriage.  The 
throng  that  surrounded  the  hall  of  justice,  could  not 
repress  their  feelings.  The  horses  were  unharnes- 
sed — the  carriage  elevated  upon  their  shoulders^ 
and  the  Hero  of  New- Orleans  was,  in  this  manner, 
borne  through  the  streets  to  his  lodgings,  by  its  pro- 
tected and  secured  citizens.  Flattering  as  was  this 
demonstration  of  respect  and  admiration  for  himj 
the  General  was  apprehensive  that  it  was  evincive 
of  some  disrespect  for  civil  po/ver,  and  addressed 
them,  in  the  most  pathetic  manner.  This  address 
is  before  the  writer;  but  its  length  forbids  its  in- 
sertion.  He  acknowledged  the  civility  of  the  peo- 
ple, not  with  the  studied  formality  of  fashionable 
etiquette,  but  with  the  impassioned  eloquence  of 
the  heart.  He  exhorted  the  people  whom  he  lov- 
ed, and  who  almost  adored  him,  not  to  sufl'er  the 
ebullitions  of  passion,  to  make  them  forget  the  re- 
spect due  to  civil  authority.  They  ofl'ered  to  pay 
the  amount  of  the  fine  inflicted  upon  him,  but  he 
declined  receiving  it ;  and  retired  to  his  lodgings 
with  the  unassumed  dignity  of  conscious  integrity. 

It  is  with  pride,  mingled  with  veneration,  that 
the  writer  is  enabled  thus  to  furnish  the  reader 
with  conclusive  evidence,  of  the  dignified  modera- 
tion of  a  cor.queror,  who  conquered,  not  to  aggran- 
dize himself,  but  to  render  secure  that  independ- 
ence  acquired   by  his  countrymen.     Although  by 


^4  MEMOIRS   OF 

militarii  porver^  he  had  saved  an  important  section 
of  the  Republic,  and  secured  the  enjoyment  of  civil 
power,  he  was  conscious  that  the  first  was,  and 
must  be,  in  a  free  government,  inferior  to  the  last ; 
and  if,  by  a  civil  or  judicial  functionary,  he  had 
sustained  what  his  countrymen  deemed  an  injury, 
he  was  conscious  that  it  was  far  preferable  tosufler 
himself,  and  to  have  errors  of  judgment  overlooked, 
than  to  have  the  civil  institutions  of  his  country  dis-- 
jegarded^ 


ANDREW    JACKSOX.  ^8^ 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Gen.  Jackson  retires  from  New-Orleans — arrives  at  Nashville,  his 
place  of  residence — Reflection — He  receives  a  message  to  repair 
to  the  seat  of  government,  to  assist  in  arranging  the  Prace  Estab- 
lishment of  the  U.  S.  army — Difficulty  of  that  duty — Votes  of  thanks, 
&c  to  Gren  Jackson — He  repairs  to  the  seat  of  government — Ci- 
vilities received  upon  his  passage,  and  on  his  arrival — Returns  t© 
his  head-quaiters  at  Nashville,  and  in  1816,  repairs  to  New-Or- 
leans, and  arranges  the  army. 

Gen.  Jackson,  having  preserved  the  military 
district  assigned  to  his  command,  from  invasfon — 
having  defended  it  against  a  force  which  the  ene- 
my supposed  irresistible,  and  his  countrymen  alarm- 
ingly formidable — having  restored  his  gallant  army 
to  the  fire-sides  rendered  safe  by  their  valour — hav- 
ing submitted  to  the  adjudication  of  a  civil  tribu- 
nal, and  complied  with  its  decision,  he  had  an  op- 
portunity to  enjoy  that  repose  to  which  he  had  long 
been  a  stranger,  and  which  was  now  rendered  se- 
cure from  the  disturbance  of  savage  and  civilized 
foes.  He  beheld  an  immense  portion  of  the  Repub- 
lic, which  was  recently  in  danger  of  subjugation, 
by  a  power  whose  ambition  is  as  boundless  as  its 
cupidity,  enjoying  in  security,  the  blessings  of  the 
American  Constitution. 

It  is  utterly  impossible  to  describe  by  language. 


^86 


MEMOIRS    or 


the  emotions  of  the  heart  upon  this  occasion— cTe- 
scrij)tion  lags  far  behind  reality,  and  its  power  is 
impotency  itself.  Surrounded  f)y  a  recently  alarm- 
ed, and  now  a  secured  people,  whose  hearts  were 
swollen  with  gratitude,  emd  whose  eyes  were  swim- 
ming  in  tears  of  joy,  he  stood  amidst  the  citizens  of 
New-Orleans  like  a  father  in  the  midst  of  a  family, 
who  owed  their  temporal  felicity  to  his  assiduous 
labours.  The  females  of  the  city,  who  owed  their 
lives,  and,  what  was  dearer,  their  honour,  to  his 
courage,  in  impressive  silence,  evinced  their  grati- 
tude to  their  *'  Patron  and  Friend." 

'*  A  glance  sends  volumes  to  the  heart, 
While  toords  impassion'd  die-" 

Gen.  Jackson  had  a  family  800  miles  distant,  froaj 
which  he  had  long  been  separated,  and  to  which  he 
was  impelled,  by  the  most  affectionate  atlachmentj 
to  return.  He  left  New-Orleans  with  the  blessings 
of  its  citizens  for  his  wisdom  and  courai^e  in  defend- 
ing them,  and  with  their  prayers  for  his  happiness. 
In  the  long  distance  of  country  through  which  he. 
passed  to  his  residence  at  Nashville,  he  was  every 
where  received  by  the  people  with  the  most  enthu- 
siastic demonstrations  of  respect,  and  greeted  as  the 
great  instrument  in  the  hands  of  heaven,  of  preser: 
ving  their  country  from  British  outr^gp,  and  British 
dominion.  It  was  the  only  reward  they  couM  be- 
stow, and  the  most  grateful  one  he  could  receive. 
In  every  heart  a  monument  was  erected  to  his  glory. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  28i 

tipoii  the  foundation  of  gratitude,  which  will  never 
be  shaken  ;  hut  which  will  be  transmitted  from  the 
bosom  of  the  sire  to  the  son,  through  all  the  distant 
ages  of  posterity. 

He  arrived  at   Nashville   upon  the   15th   May, 
1815.     Twenty-seven  years  before,  he  arrived  here 
at  tlie  age  of  twenty-four  years,  an  insulated  being, 
relying  solely  upon  his  own  exertions  and  the  smiles 
of  heaven,  for  his  establishment  in  life.     He  rapidly 
advanced  in  fame,  as  the  country  with  rapidity  ad- 
vanced to  civilization— he  literally  "  grew  with  the 
growth,  and  strenj^thened  with  the  strength"  of  the 
people  of  Tennessee.     He  had   gone  hand  in  hand 
with   his  fellow-citizfns,  in   protecting  the  territory 
and  the  state^  from  the  barbarous  carnage  of  sava- 
ges, and  Sf curing  the  rude  cottage  of  the  early  set- 
tler from  conflagration,  and   his  family  from  massa- 
cre.    He  had  seen  an  expanded   wilderness,   where 
the  majestic  silence  of  nature  was  broken  only  by 
the  houiing  of  beasts,  the  yells  of  savasfes,  and  the 
lumbliug;  of  waters,  converted  into  a  region  of  civi- 
lization, where  the  arts^  so  conducive  to  the  happi- 
ness  of  man,  and   the  sciences,  which  enlarges  his 
views,  were  practised  and  taught.     He  had  seen,  in 
the  space  of  a  quarter  of  a  century,  a  new  people 
arise  in  a  new  country,  to  an  elevation  equal  to  that 
of  many  portions  of  the  globe,  which  have  enjoyed 
the  uif'stimable  blessings  of  civilization  for  many 
centuries.     He  had  st^n  a  constitution  established 


288  MEMOIRS    OF 

to  secure  the  rights  of  the  people — courts  instituted 
toadddnister  jiisticp.  and  thrt-e  iinivcrsities  founded 
to  dilfuse  the  Ws^Uts  of  scir'nre.  He  had  su^ained 
many  important  offices  in  the  state,  and  had  repre- 
sentT^d  it  in  both  branches  of  the  national  govern- 
ment, and  had  laboured  to  rend-r  the  civil,  reli- 
gions, and  political  rights  of  the  people  secure.  To 
protect  these  enjoyments,  he  had,  at  the  call  of  his 
fellou  citizens,  led  them  into  the  heart  of  a  country 
of  savages,  and  conquered  them  into  peace.  He 
also  had  ki\  Miem  into  the  face  of  the  most  formi- 
dable and  best  Hisriplinrd  army,  that  ever  assailed 
the  American  Republic,  anrl  compelled  those  of 
them  who  were  not  left  to  moulder  in  the  soil  they 
invaded,  to  flee  from  destruction.  At  Nashville 
he  found  himself  surrounded  by  his  grateful  fellow- 
citizens,  in  the  enjoyment  of  peace  and  happiness; 
and  by  his  accomplished  officers  and  gallant  sol- 
diers, who  had,  by  their  courage,  rendered  them  se- 
cure. Terrestrial  regions  could  not  afford  a  scene 
more  impressively  interesting.  In  General  Jackson 
the  people  recognized  a  Statesman,  whose  labori- 
ous and  scientific  exertions  had  conduced  greatly 
to  the  security  of  their  political  rights;  and  a  Sol- 
dier, whose  valour  had  defended  them  from  viola- 
tion. In  the  people  who  now  surrounded  him,  the 
Genera!  recognized  virtuous  and  industrious  citi- 
zens, and  faithful  and  gallant  soldiers. 

Gen.  Jackson  had  received  a  message,  some  time 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  ^89 

previous  to  his  arrival  at  Nashville,  to  repair  to  the 
seat  of  government,  to  render  that  assistrtnce  which 
his  knowledge  and  experience  enabled  him  to  afford, 
in  organizing  a  peace  establishment  in  the  army  of 
the  Republic.  Indispensable  duties,  in  the  district 
under  his  command,  rendered  a  compliance  impos- 
sible. 

The  task  which  devolved  upon  the  War,  and  the 
other  Departments  of  the  government,  in  disband- 
ing an  army,  which,  in  the  last  campai2;n  of  the 
war,  liad  every  where  covered  itself  with  glory,  was 
important  and  delicate  in  the  extreme.  To  the 
private  soldier,  whose  toils  had  been  severe.,  wliose  ' 
privations  had  t)een  hard,  and  whose  reward  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  war  was  ample,  to  be  restored  to 
private  life,  was  a  gratification.  But  to  officers, 
from  the  highest  to  the  lowest  grade,  who  entered 
the  service  more  for  the  acquisition  of  fame  than 
fortune— who  had  left  promising  prospects  in  pri- 
vate life,  to  defend  their  endangered  country-^for 
such  men  to  be  dismissed  from  the  service,  with 
which  they  had  become  familiar,  and  be  compelled 
to  return  again  to  the  dull  pursuits  of  civil  life, 
which  has  but  a  few  charms  for  the  soldier,  was  a 
difficult,  although  a  necessary  duty. 

The  American  Republic  is  not  a  military  govern- 
ment— and  an  overgrown  standing  army,  in  a  time 
of  peace,  cannot  be  maintained. 

From  the  immense  extent  of  the  country— from 
Aa 


290  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  number  of  its  forts  on  the  seaboard,  and  fron- 
tier,  a  small  standing  force  is  nec(ssary,  and  a  small 
one  only,  in  a  time  of  peace,  will  be  endured  by 
the  people.  Conversant  with  the  history  of  ancient 
and  modern  military  governments,  the  American 
people  are  jealous  of  military  power.  A  necessary 
military  force  will  always  be  supported — a  super- 
numerary army,  will  always  be  considered  and  op- 
posed as  dangerous.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  sec- 
ond war  between  the  American  Ke])ul)lic  and  the 
feingdom  of  Great-Britain,  the  government  decided 
that  ten  thousand  troops,  properly  proportioned,  as 
to  officers  and  soldiers,  should  constitute  the  peace 
establishment — probably  the  smallest  standing  army, 
considering  the  extent,  population,  and  importance 
of  the  country,  in  any  nation  in  the  world.  Many 
officers,  who  would  have  adorned  any  army,  must 
have  been  dismissed  by  the  reduction  of  the  Ameri- 
can army,  from  the  war  to  the  peace  establishment. 
The  whole  of  the  Republic  was  divided  into 
tiio  divisions,  or  departments — the  South,  and  the 
North.  Maj.  Gen.  Jackson  was  appointed  com- 
mander in  chief  of  the  Division  of  the  South.  His 
appointment  to  this  important  command,  met  with 
the  approbation  of  the  coimtry.  His  ability  to 
command,  had  been  proved  by  obtaining  a  series  of 
victories,  over  the  most  warlike  tribe  of  savages,  and 
the  best  disciplined  armies  in  the  world,  under  the 
most  disadvantageous  circumstances. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  291 

General  Jackson  established  his  hearl-quarters  at 
Nashville,  where  he  was  constantly  receiving  the 
most  unequivocal  evidence  of  the  gratitude  of  his 
countrymen.  Minute  details  are  incompatible  with 
the  limits  of  this  work:  otherwise  the  reader  might 
be  furnished  with  the  proceedings  of  various  legis- 
latures, in  passing  votes  of  thanks,  expressed  in  the 
strongest  terms  of  approbation.  A  vote  of  thanks, 
although  unaccompanied  with  any  pecuniary  fa- 
vour, is,  to  a  disinterested  patriot,  the  highest  re- 
ward he  can  receive.  The  legislature  of  Tennessee, 
were  amongst  the  first  to  manifest  their  respect  for 
the  character  and  achievements  of  General  Jackson, 
They  passed  a  vote  of  thanks,  and  presented  him 
with  a  gold  medal.  They  could  not  forget  bis  gal- 
lant associates.  Gens,  Coffee  and  Carroll,  to  whom 
they  presented  elegant  swords. 

A  British  parliament,  when  it  bestows  the  title  of 
a  duke,  also  drains  the  treasury,  to  purchase  a  dukC' 
dom  for  the  ennobled  subject,  and  compels  the  hiwt- 
ble  subjects  to  refund  it,  by  imposing  exorbitant 
taxes.  The  American  government,  although ^1/5^  to 
its  distinguished  citizens  and  soldiers,  cannot  he  gen- 
erous at  the  expence  of  the  whole  of  them.  General 
"W  ASHiNGTON,  in  ih^Jirst  war  between  the  Republic 
and  Britain,  thought  nothing  of  pecuniary  reward, 
nor  did  Gen.  Jackson  in  the  second;  but  the  one 
could  not  have  been,  and  the  other  cannot  be,  indif» 


2^2  MEMOIKS    OF 

ferent  to  the  grateful  applause  of  independent  and 
protected  iVmericans. 

Although  Gen.  Jackson,  In  early  life  felt  little 
soh'citude  for  the  accunjuiation  or  preservation  of 
wealth,  he  nevertheless,  after  he  commenced  busi* 
ness  at  Nashville,  acquired  by  industry,  and  saved 
by  frugality,  a  fine  real  estate,  delightfully  situated 
upon  the  bank  of  the  Cumberland  river.  To  this 
he  might  have  retired,  had  he  left  the  service,  and 
have  enjoyed  an  elegant  independence.  He  might 
have  surveyed  his  tenements  and  fertile  fields,  and 
have  exclaimed,  with  exquisite  delight,  "  these  were 
acquired  by  my  labour — these  were  defended  by 
my  valour,  and  here  I  can  enjoy  domestic  felicity 
in  safety."  But  although  the  Republic  was  at  peace 
with  all  the  world,  it  could  not  dispense  with  the 
nailitary  services  of  this  great  Commander.  He 
was  retained  in  the  service,  not  like  a  pensioned 
doke,  with  a  numerous  pensioned  retinue,  to  excite 
the  unmeaning  admiration  of  a  degraded  peasantry, 
but  to  perfect  a  military  system  for  his  country. 
The  division  assigned  to  his  command,  is  larger 
than  half  of  Europe,  and  requires  the  most  consum- 
mate skill  in  the  commander,  to  place  it  in  a  situa- 
tion to  repel  future  invasions. 

Late  in  the  autumn  of  1815,  Gen.  Jackson  re- 
paired, for  the  first  time  since  the  declaration  of 
war,  to  the  seat  of  government.  Upon  his  passage 
thither,  he  received  that  marked  attention,  which 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  293 

a  grateful  and  an  admiring  people  bestow,  upon  a 
distinguished  benefactor.  Although  in  time  of  war 
he  avoided  all  parade  and  ceremonies  inconsistent 
with  the  imperious  demands  of  duty,  yet  he  could 
not,  at  this  period,  avoid  a  compliance  with  the 
wishes  of  his  countrymen,  to  mingle  with  their  gal- 
Jant  defenders,  nor  could  he  avoid  a  reciprocation 
of  their  civility  and  hospitality. 

At  Lynchburg,  in  Virginia,  a  public  dinner  was 
given  him,  at  which  the  philosopher  of  Monticello, 
Thomas  Jefferson,  was  present.  The  veneration 
that  was  excited  by  the  presence  of  the  American 
Statesman,  could  hardly  restrain  the  enthusiasm 
produced  by  the  presence  of  the  American  Hero. 
Although  far  removed  from  the  deeply  interesting 
scenes  of  Gen.  Jackson's  military  operations,  the 
people  of  this  place  and  its  vicinity,  duly  apprecia- 
ted his  exalted  merit.  Toasts  have  been  said  to 
discover  the  undisguised  sentiments  of  the  people; 
and  it  is  presumed  the  toast  given  upon  this  occa- 
sion, in  reference  to  Gen.  Jackson,  by  Mr.  JeiTerson, 
will  be  cordially  assented  to,  by  every  American; 
"  Honour  and  gratitude  to  the  man  nho  has  fil- 
led thff  measure  of  his  country's  honour." 

Upon  this  occasion,  the  General,    knowing   that 
the  country  he  had  defended  was  acquired  by  ne- 
goriaiiorty  by  the  same  man  who  had  so  essentially 
aided  him  in  protecting  it,  gave  for  a  toast— 
"  Jaaies  Monroe." 
Ad.  2 


29^  MEMOIRS  OF 

Upon  his  arrival  at  Washington,  he  wag  received 
witlj  that  dig:nifietl  all'ability,  and  cordial  afiection, 
for  which  the  President  and  the  heads  of  the  seve- 
ral departments  are  distinguished.  No  ostentatious 
parade,  better  calculated  to  repress  than  to  elicit, 
the  feelings  of  the  heart,  was  displayed  upon  the 
occasion.  The  civil  fathers  of  the  Republic  saw 
before  them  a  soldier,  who  had  supported  in  the 
field  the  measures  they  had  devised  in  the  cabinet. 
Respecting  and  respected,  they  mutually  congrata- 
lated  each  other,  upon  the  successful  termination  of 
their  arduous  labours.  In  surveying  the  city,  tiie 
effects  of  Vandal  warfare,  were  visible  in  the  barba- 
lous  ravages  of  a  British  army.  He  saw  the  ruins 
of  the  Capitol  and  the  President's  house,  and  knew 
that  it  was  in  open  violation  of  the  principles  of 
civilized  warfare  that  it  was  produced.  He  must 
have  rejoiced  that  a  Pakenham  was  prevented  from 
leaving  such  tracks  of  desolation  in  New-Orleans,  as 
a  Ross  had  in  Washington. 

At  all  the  public  parties  which  the  General  at- 
tended at  Washington,  at  Georgetown,  and  at  other 
places  in  the  vicinity,  he  shewed,  that  although  in 
time  of  war,  a  soldier  must  be  as  a  lion  to  his  ene- 
mies, he  could,  in  time  of  peace,  be  a  lamb  to  his 
friends — that  he  could  "  smooth  the  wrinkled  front^' 
of  the  soldier,  and  enjoy  the  *'  lulling  tune  of  the 
lute."  At  the  table,  he  could  enjoy  the  luxuries  it 
afforded,  with  the  elegance  of  the  gentleman — at  a 


ANDREW  JACKSON,  295 

levee,  or  a  drawing-room,  could  reciprocate  the  ci- 
vilities he  received,  and  in  the  ball-room,  could,  if 
he  chose,  display  the  refined  accomplishments  of 
the  courtier.  Mrs.  Jackson  accompanied  her  hus- 
band  to  Washington  ;  and  every  where  received 
that  distinguished  respect,  which  her  own  merit,  as 
well  as  admiration  for  the  General,  induced  every 
one  to  bestow. 

But  amidst  the  fascinating  blandishments  of  re- 
fined society,  and  the  alluring  charms  of  elegant 
amusemenis,  he  never  forgat  his  duty  to  his  coun- 
trymen. More  than  one  half  of  one  of  the  largest 
nations  in  the  world,  in  point  of  territory,  had  been 
assigned  to  his  command.  Although  the  olive-branch 
of  peace  waved  over  his  country,  where  the  cidrion 
of  war  had,  for  a  long  time,  assailed  the  ears  of  his 
countrymen,  he  never  remitted  his  exertions  to  se- 
cure, in  time  of  peace,  by  efficient  regulations  and 
necessary  establishments,  the  rights  and  blessings 
that  had  been  defended  by  the  sword. 

It  is  inconsistent  with  the  design  of  these  me- 
moirs, to  give  a  minute  detail  of  ail  the  interesting 
scenes  through  which  Gen.  Jarkson  passed,  in  his 
extensive  private  intercourse  with  the  most  exalted, 
as  well  as  the  middling  classes  of  society.  A  Bos- 
well  might  swell  the  life  of  a  Johnson  to  three  octa- 
vos, by  telling  the  world  how  the  "giant  of  litera- 
ture" dressed  upon  particular  days — upon  what 
days  he  drank  wine  with  his  friends— cream  with 


296  MEMOIRS    OF 

his  coffee,  and  enriched  his  bunns  with  butter.  Gen. 
Jackson's  life  is  interspersed  with  incidents  more  in- 
teresting to  his  countrymen,  than  such  events ;  and 
it  is  presumed  they  will  be  more  interested  in  the 
detail  of  them. 

In  the  spring  of  1816,  Gen.  Jackson  repaired  to 
the  great  scene  of  his  military  operations,  New- 
Orleans.  It  is  utterly  impossible  to  give  the  reader 
any  conception  ot  the  rapture  of  the  people,  in  again 
seeing  in  the  bosom  of  the  city,  the  man  who  had 
saved  it  from  carnage  and  destruction — its  sons  from 
murder,  and  its  daughters  from  wanton  violation. 
After  the  scenes  of  cordial  congratulation  were 
passed,  he  immediately  reviewed  the  troops — ex- 
amined minutely  into  the  police  of  the  camp,  and 
finding  the  troops  unhealthy,  resolved  to  have  them 
removed  to  the  Alabama  Territory,  \\hich  was  soon 
after  effected. 

Although  the  health  and  comfort  of  troops,  is  a 
primary  object  with  a  commander,  yet  in  addition 
to  this  consideration,  Gen.  Jackson  considered,  from 
former  experience,  that  the  most  endangered  part 
of  the  *'  Division  of  the  South,"  was  that  which 
bordered  upon  the  Spanish  provinces  of  Florida,  in 
which  the  Alabama  and  Seminole  Indians  were 
embosomed.  He  was  aware  that  the  stationing  of 
American  troops  upon  their  borders,  would  tend  to 
restrain  their  barbarity  ;  and  that  they  could  more 
promptly  be  punished  when  coumiitted.  Subse- 
quent events,  shewed  the  wisdom  of  this  measure. 


A^NDRiW  JACKSOlf.  2^7 


CHAPTER  XX. 

GcD.  Jackson  negociates  a  treaty  for  the  extin^ishment  of  Indian 
titles  to  land — Issues  an  order  relative  to  this  subjt-ct  —Receives  a 
silver  vase  from  the  Ladies  of  South-Carolina,  &c— Returns  to 
Nashville — Issues  an  important  general  cider — Prepares  to  defend 
his  Division — Commencement  of  Seminole  War— Gen.  Gaines  at- 
tacks the  Seminoles— Geo.  Jackson  addresses  the  "  Tennessee 
Volunteers" — repairs  to  Georgia — aud  enters  with  his  army  into 
Florida— Justification  of  that  measure— lie  captures  St.  Marks. 

Gen.  Jackson,  having  discharged  the  important 
duty  of  regulating  and  stationing  the  army,  in  the 
southern  section  of  tlie  Division  of  the  South,  he 
entered  into  negociation  with  the  Chickasaw,  Choc- 
taw, Cherokee,  and  Creek  Indians.  The  object  of 
the  negociation,  was  to  obtain  from  them,  the  abso- 
lute relinquishment  of  all  the  claim  they  pretended 
to  have  to  lands,  within  the  limits  of  the  United 
States,  and  which  had  previously  been  ceded  by 
them.  This  measure  evinced,  in  a  signal  manner, 
the  moderation  of  the  American  government  to- 
ward the  natives.  Although  the  territory  had  be- 
fore been  obtained,  first  by  conquest,  after  a  san- 
guinary war,  occasioned  by  the  savages  themselves, 
and  afterwards  by  treaty  with  them,  by  which  they 
acknowledged  their  gratitude  to  the  government  for 
permitting  them  to   retain  anf^  territory,  yet,  to 


298  MEMOIRS   07 

pacify  them  completely,  for  the  diminution  of  their 
limits,  and  to  extinguish  their  title,  Gen.  Jackson 
engaged,  in  hehalf  of  bis  government,  to  pay  the 
Creeks  ^10,000  a  year,  for  ten  years,  and  the  Cher- 
©kees  $10,000  a  year,  for  ei^rht  years. 

Having  accomplished  this  important  measure, 
Gen.  Jackson  repaired  to  Huntsville,  in  the  state  of 
Mississippi,  and  upon  the  8th  of  Octoiier,  published 
an  order  which  was  sanctioned  by  the  government, 
by  which  all  citizens  of  the  United  States,  were 
enjoined  to  abstain  from  ail  encroachments  upon 
Indian  lands,  and  ordered  such  as  had,  to  be  re- 
moved in  a  limited  number  of  days.  Although  this 
might  operate  hard  upon  individuals  who  had  acted 
under  misapprehension,  yet  it  was  doing  that  justice 
and  equity  to  savages,  which  the  American  govern- 
ment has  always  extended  to  them  ;  and  it  rendered 
still  more  secure  the  frontiers  of  Mississippi,  Ten- 
nessee and  Georgia. 

During  this  season,  Gen.  Jackson  received  a 
manifestation  of  respect  from  the  '*  Ladies  of  South- 
Carolina,'*  his  native  state,  which  must  have  been 
peculiarly  grateful  to  his  feelings.  They  presented 
him,  through  Col.  Haynes  and  Maj.  Gadsden,  with 
a  splendid  siker  vase,  elevated  upon  a  pedestal. 
The  figures  attached  to  it  are  emblematical  of  the 
country's  glory,  and  of  the  glory  of  "  the  man  of 
NEW-ORLEANS."  UpoH  ouB  side  of  it,  a  striking 
representation  of  the  great  battle,  and  an  inscrip- 


ANDREW  JACKSOK.  2^9 

tion,  "  EIGHTH  JANUARY,  1815" — upoti  the  other, 

*/  PRESENTED  BY  THE  LADIES  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA, 
TO    MAJOR  GENERAL    ANDREW     JACKSON."       The    gift 

was  worthy  of  tiie  receiver — worthy  of  the  givers- 
worthy  of  the  descendants  of  the  patriotic  matrons 
of  South-Carolina,  who,  in  the  gloomy  period  of 
the  revolution,  added  lustre  to  their  characters,  by 
exercising  a  benevolence  as  boundless  as  the  wants 
of  their  assailed  countrymen.  The  toils,  the  grief, 
and  the  death,  of  the  venerable  mother  of  Andrew 
Jackson,  cannot  be  forgotten.* 

At  about  the  same  time,  the  general  received  an- 
other present,  although  less  splendid,  equally  appro- 
priate. A  boot  manufacturer  of  Pittsburgh,  pre- 
sented him  with  an  elegant  and  superb  pair  of  m^7^- 
tarT/  boots.  He  received  them  with  great  affability, 
and  reciprocated  the  civility  with  his  usual  cordial- 
ity. The  presentation  of  a  pair  of  woollen  stockings^ 
to  the  Emperor  Alexander,  when  at  London,  suita- 
ble for  the  frigid  climate  in  which  he  reigns^  was 
received  with  all  the  condescension  which  the  head 
of  the  allied  sovereigns  could  bestow  upon  a  pea- 
sant. 

In  October,  1816,  Gen.  Jackson  returned  to  his 
head  quarters  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  It  has  long 
been  his  happiness,  when  returning  to  the  place  of 
his  residence,  from  the  discharge  of  civil  and  mili- 
tary duties  abroad,  to  have,  in  his  absence,  raised 
•  Vide  Chap.  I.  page  29. 


300  MEMOIRS  or 

an  ackHtional  claim  to  tlie  gratitude  and  admiration 
of  his  fellow-citizens.  The  treaty  he  had  recently 
made  with  the  Indians,  waf:  most  peculiarly  advan- 
tageous to  the  people  of  Tennessee,  as  it  diminished, 
and  almost  allayed  the  apprehensions  of  the  people, 
from  all  future  fears  of  Indian  warfare. 

Having  become  perfectly  familiarized  with  the 
necessary  regulation  and  police  of  an  army,  his  at- 
tention was  almost  exclusively  devoted  to  the  in- 
troduction of  them  into  the  American  army.  In 
the  spri!)g  of  ISlf,  he  issued  the  following  general 
order,  which  has  been  the  subject  of  severe  ani- 
mdversion,  from  some  distinguished  cfficers  in  the 
arn)y,  and  of  approi)alion  from  others. 

DIVISION  ORDER. 

Jdjutant-GeneraVs  Office,  H.'sl.  Division  of 
the  South-^Naskville,  April  22,  1817. 

The  commanding?  general  considers  it  due  to  the 
principles  of  suborrlination.  A\hich  ought  and  must 
exist  in  an  army,  to  prohibit  the  obedience  of  any 
order  emanating  from  the  Department  of  War,  to 
officers  of  this  division,  who  have  reported  and 
been  assii^ned  to  duty,  unless  coming  throu2:h  him, 
as  the  proper  organ  of  communication.  The  object 
of  this  order,  is  to  prevent  the  recurrence  of  a  cir- 
cumstance, which  removed  an  important  officer 
from  the  division  without  the  ]?no\\ ledge  of  the 
commanding  general,  and  indeed,  when  he  supposed 


ANDREW   JACKSOi?.  301 

that  officer  engaged  in  his  official  duties,  and  antici- 
pated hourly  the  receipt  of  his  official  reports,  on 
a  subject  of  great  importance  to  his  command  ;  al- 
so to  prevent  the  topographical  reports  from  being 
made  public  through  the  medium  of  the  newspa- 
pers, as  was  done  in  the  case  alluded  to,  thereby  en- 
abling the  enemy  to  obtain  the  benofit  of  all  our 
topugraphical  researches,  as  soon  as  the  general  com- 
manding, who  is  responsible  for  the  division.  Su- 
perior  officers,  having  commands  assigned  them,  are 
held  responsible  to  the  government,  for  the  charac- 
ter and  conduct  of  that  command;  and  it  might 
as  well  be  justified  in  an  officer,  senior  in  command, 
to  give  orders  to  a  guard  on  duty,  without  passing 
that  order  through  the  officer  of  that  guard,  as  that 
the  Department  of  War  should  countermand  the 
arrangements  of  commanding  generals,  without  giv- 
ing their  order  through  the  proper  channel.  To 
acquiesce  in  such  a  course,  would  be  a  tame  surren- 
der of  military  rights  and  etiquette ;  and  at  once 
subvert  the  established  principles  of  subordination 
and  good  order.  Obedience  to  the  lawful  com- 
mands of  superior  officers,  is  constitutionally  and 
morally  required :  but  there  is  a  chain  of  commu- 
nication that  binds  the  military  compact,  which,  if 
broken,  opens  the  door  to  disobedience  and  disre- 
spect, and  gives  loose  to  the  turbulent  spirits,  who 
are  ever  ready  to  excite  mutiny.     All  physicians," 

able  to  perform  duty,  who  are  absent  on  furlough, 
Bb 


302  MEMOIRS    OF 

will  forthwith  repair  to  their  respective  posts. 
Commanding  officers  of  regiments  and  corps,  are 
ordered  to  report  speciaUi/,  all  officers  absent  from 
duty  on  the  30th  of  June  next,  and  their  cause  of 
absence.  The  army  is  too  small  to  tolerate  idlers, 
and  they  will  be  dismissed  the  service. 

Bi/  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  Jack  son, 
(Signed)  ROBERT  BUTLER, 

J  d jut  ant  General. 

Until  the  commencement  of  the  last  war,  the 
American  Republic  could  hardly  be  said  to  have 
had  a  practical  military  system.  From  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  war  of  the  revolution,  to  that  period,  it 
had,  indeed,  a  small  military  force!  l)ut  they  were 
scattered,  in  small  sections,  through  an  immense 
country,  and  but  little  of  a  systematic  organization, 
or  of  regular  subordination,  was  to  be  discerned. 
The  collisions  that  unhappily  subsisted  in  the  army, 
and  between  the  army  and  the  Wcir  Department, 
in  the  campaigns  of  1812,  and  1813,  evince  the  jus- 
tice of  the  remark.  It  required  the  energy  of  a 
Monroe,  in  the  last,  and  of  a  Jackson,  Brown, 
Macomb,  Gaines,  Scott,  Ripley,  -Sec.  in  the  first, 
to  give  efficiency  and  system  to  the  physical  power 
of  the  country,  when  called  into  action.  The  pre^ 
ceding  general  order  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  of 
the  Division  of  the  South,  is  inserted,  not  for  the 
purpose  of  discussing  its  merits.     It  would  be  arrc- 


ANDREW    JACKSON,  303 

gaiice  in  (he  writer  to  attempt  it.  That  subject 
more  properly  belongs  to  the  accomplished  officers 
of  the  army,  than  to  the  unassuming  biographer. 

Gen.  Jdclison,  with  that  vigilance  which  always 
characterizes  a  great  commander,  extended  his 
views  through  the  whole  of  his  immensely  extensive 
division;  but  he  was  fully  aware  from  whence  the 
greatest,  or  rather  the  most  immediate  danger  was 
to  he  apprehended.  He  was  well  acquainted  with 
Spanish  perfidy,  and  had  once  carried  the  Ameri- 
can arms  to  the  capital  of  their  North  American 
possessions,  and  terror  into  the  heart  of  an  efi'emi- 
nate,  though  vindictive  minister  of  the  imbecile, 
though  tyrannical  Ferdinand  VII.  The  sparing 
mercy  of  the  American  government,  was  extended 
to  him  and  to  his  nation,  from  the  most  solemn  as- 
surances, that  the  treaty  existing  between  the  Amer- 
ican and  Spanish  governments,  should  be  inviolably 
icept,  and  faithfully  executed.  Without  alluding 
to  other  articles,  and  other  violations,  it  is  sufficient 
for  the  present  purpose  to  state,  that  one  article  of 
this  treaty  provides,  that  the  Spanish  government 
shall  wholly  restrain  the  savages  within  the  limits 
of  their  possessions  in  North  America,  from  depre- 
dations of  every  kind  upon  the  citizens  of  the 
United  States.  In  the  preceding  parts  of  this  work, 
the  conduct  of  ManrequeZi  the  then  Spanish  gov- 
ernor,  has  been  unfolded.  Conduct  equally  flagrant 
Id  outrage,  was  pursued  by  the  Spanish  authorities, 


304  3JEMOIIIS    OF 

after  the  conclusion  of  peace  between  America  and 
Great  Britain,  as  was  pursued  during  the  last  war. 
So  far  from  restraining  the  hostile  savages  from 
committing  depredations  upon  the  territory,  and 
murder  upon  the  persons  of  American  citizens,  they 
were  encouraged  to  the  perpetration  of  these  deeds, 
by  the  officers  and  emissaries  of  Spain. 

No  thanks  are  due  from  Americans  to  the  Span- 
ish authorities  of  Florida,  for  the  peace  which  has 
subsisted  for  a  considerable  period,  between' the 
government  and  people  of  the  American  Republic, 
and  the  Choctaw^  Creek,  Cherokee,  and  Chickasaw 
tribes  of  Indians:  nor  will  these  brave  and  infatu- 
ated sons  of  the  forest,  thank  them  for  stimulating 
them  to  warfare,  against  a  magnanimous  nation, 
whose  prowess,  directed  by  the  courage  and  wisdom 
of  Gen.  Jackson,  has  conquered  them  into  a  peace, 
advctntageous  to  themselves — advantageous,  because 
the  sacred  regard  to  justice,  which  is  the  leading 
characteristic  of  the  American  government,  will 
inviolably  regard  it.  These  tribes,  from  the  most 
correct  information,  could  bring  into  the  field,  in 
1817,  10,000  warriors :  but  none  of  them,  except 
the  disaffected,  who  had,  by  the  seduction  of  for- 
eign emissaries,  joined  the  SembiolcSf  raised  the 
liatchet  against  Americans. 

The  Seminole  Indians  are  not  a  "  legitimated^ 
iiiht  oi  7iative  Americans.  They  are  an  association 
of  desperadoes,  who  have  been  banished  froni  other 


ANDREW   JiCKSON,  305 

tribes,  and  who  have  drawn  into  their  confederacy 
many  runaway  negroes,  whose  African  suilenness  has 
been  aroused  to  indiscriminate  vefigeance,  by  the 
more  frantic  fuiy  of  the  American  natives.  It  was 
from  this  desperate  clan  of  outlaws  from  civil,  and 
even  from  savage  society,  that  the  Spanish  authori- 
ties expected  to  see  the  American  settlements,  upon 
the  borders  of  Florida,  devastated,  and  the  settlers 
slain ! 

The  Britisli  government,  since  the  treaty  of  peace 
negociatcd  at  Ghent,  had  been  more  cautious  in 
arming,  disciplining,  and  driving  savages  into  war 
with  Americans,  than  it  had  previously  been:  but 
two  of  its  subjects,  by  the  names  of  Jrbuthnot  and 
Amhristery  had  long  been  executing,  under  the 
specious  pretext  of  carri/ing  on  merchandize^  the 
wishes  of  the  enemies  of  the  American  Republic. 
To  conceal  their  depravity,  they  may  have  furnish- 
ed the  Seminole  Indians  with  some  few  articles  of 
clothing:  but  the  principal  articles  of  their  traffic, 
were  knives,  hatchets^  muskets,  rifles,  balls,  and 
powder. 

From  the  year  1814  to  ISIT,  this  ferocious  clan 
of  American  savages  and  African  negroes,  commit" 
ted  many  depredations  and  wanton  murders,  in  the 
American  settlements.  Gen.  Edmund  P,  Gaines, 
the  next  in  command  to  Gen.  Jackson  in  the  Divi- 
sion of  the  South,  was  stationed  in  the  vicinity  of 

these  outrages.     In  a  communication  which  would 
Bb2 


306  MEMOIRS    or 

grace  this,  or  any  other  volume,  but  which  is  tt^ 
Juctantly  omitted,  he  portrayed  the  open  violences 
of  the  savages,  and  the  insidious  wickedness  of 
Spanish  and  British  emissaries,  in  a  manner  not  to 
be  disregarded.  He  was  stationed  at  Fort  Scott  ; 
and  had  with  him  but  part  of  the  7th  regiment  of 
U.  S.  infantry.  He  however  immediately  put  his 
forces  in  motion  against  them,  although  wholly  in- 
competent, from  de£ciency  in  amount,  to  cope  with 
the  immense  host  of  savages  that  surrounded  him, 
and  his  little  gallant  force.  He  demanded  a  sur- 
render of  the  murderers  of  American  citizens.  No 
answer  was  given  but  savage  defiance.  No  com- 
punctions  were  manifested  for  the  innocent  blood 
that  stained  them.  Gen.  Gaines,  aware  that  patient 
suiTerance  of  injuries  from  savages,  for  ever  in- 
creases their  ferocity,  proceeded  against  them — 
crossed  the  Flint  river — dispersed  them — destroyed 
Fowltoivn^  and  returned  to  Fort  Scott.  A  numerous 
horde  of  desperate  warriors,  red  and  black  sur- 
rounded the  fort,  and  entirely  cut  oli'  the  commu- 
nication of  the  American  forces.  Appearances  in- 
dicated a  repetition  of  the  tragical  scenes  of  Fort 
Mimms,  in  Mississippi.  The  signal  vengeance  in- 
flicted upon  the  Creeks,  by  Gen.  Jackson,  and  his 
invincible  army,  probably  occasioned  the  Semi- 
noles  to  pause,  before  they  "  cast  their  lives  vpon 
n  die,'* 

General  Gaines  had  called  upon  the  executive  of 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  307 

Georgia,  whose  state  was  more  immediately  endan- 
gered than  any  other,  for  immediate  succour.  The 
miserable  system  of  temporary  drafting,  had  been 
adopted  ;  and  before  the  troops  could  be  brought 
to  act  efficiently,  their  term  of  service  expired,  and 
the  small  regular  force  was  the  only  reliance  the 
frontier  settlers  had,  as  a  protection  from  derasta- 
tion  and  massacre.  A  boat  with  40  passengers  was 
taken  upon  Flint  river,  and  every  soul  on  board 
slain.  Universal  consternation  prevailed  ;  and  Gen, 
Gaines  once  more  called  upon  the  Georgia  forces, 
2000  of  whom  were  detailed,  and  rendezvoused  at 
Hartford,  Geo. 

Gen.  Jackson,  as  commander  in  chief,  was  again 
called  upon,  from  a  sense  of  duty,  to  take  the  field. 
Again  were  the  *'  Tennessee  Volunteers,"  by 
their  beloved  and  almost  adored  general,  exhorted 
to  resume  the  armour  of  war,  in  the  following  ad- 
dress ;     " 

"  Volunteers  of  West  Tennessee  ! — Once  more,  af- 
ter a  repose  of  three  years,  you  are  summoned  to 
the  field.  Your  country,  having  again  need  for  your 
services,  has  appealed  to  your  patriotism,  'and  you 
have  met  it  promptly.  The  cheerfulness  with  which 
you  have  appeared  to  encounter  the  hardships  and 
perils  of  a  winter's  campaign,  affords  the  highest 
evidence  of  what  may  be  expected  of  you,  in  the 
hour  of  conflict  and  trial. 


308  MEMOIRS    OF 

Tlie  savages  on  your  borders,  unwilling  to  be  at 
peace,  have  once  more  raised  the  tomahawk  to  shed 
the  blood  of  our  citizens,  and  already  they  arc 
assembled  in  considerable  force,  to  carry  their  mur- 
derous schemes  into  execution.  Not  contented  with 
the  liberal  policy  that  has  from  time  to  time  been 
shewn  them,  but  yielding  themselves  victims  to 
foreign  seducers,  they  vainly  think  to  assail  and 
conquer  the  country  that  protects  them.  Stupid 
mortals !  They  have  forgotten  too  soon  the  streams 
ef  blood  their  ill  fated  policy  heretofore  cost  them. 
They  have  forgotten  too,  that  but  a  short  time 
since,  conquered,  and  almost  destroyed,  they  were 
only  preserved  by  the  mildness  and  humanity  of 
that  country,  which  they  now  oppose.  They  must 
HOW  be  taught,  that  however  benevolent  and  hu- 
mane that  country  is,  she  yet  has  sacred  rights  to 
protect,  and  with  impunity,  will  not  permit  the 
butchery  of  her  peaceable  and  unollending  citizens. 

Brave  Volunteers  ! —Tht  enemy  you  are  going  to 
contend  with,  you  have  heretofore  met  and  fought. 
You  have  once  done  it,  and  can  again  conquer 
them.  You  go  not  to  fight,  but  to  be  victorious; 
remember  then,  that  the  way  to  prove  successful,  is 
not  by  being  inattentive  to  the  first  duties  of  a  sol- 
dier, but  by  bearing  and  executing  with  cheerful- 
ness, the  orders  of  superiors,  and  being  constantly 
jniiidful  of  the  obligations  you  are  under  to  your 
country  and  to  yourself.     Subordination  and  atten- 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  309 

tioli  to  discipline,  are  all-important  and  indispensa- 
ble ;  without  them,  nothing  like  system  can  be  pre- 
served, and  this  being  wanted,  nothing  favourable 
can  result.  But  in  you,  every  confidence  is  repos- 
ed. Your  general  will  not  believe  that  brave  men, 
who  have  so  promptly  come  forth  at  the  call  of 
their  country,  will  withhold  their  assent  to  regula- 
tions which  can  alone  assure  them  safety  and  suc- 
cess. Hardships  and  dangers  are  incident  to  war; 
but  brave  men  will  bear  them  without  murmuring 
or  complaining.  Knowing  you  to  be  such,  no  fears 
are  entertained  but  that  every  duty  imposed  on 
you,  will  be  met  with  promptness  and  cheerfulness. 
Your  general  goes  before  you  to  open  the  way, 
and  prepare  for  your  reception.  Confiding  in  your 
diligence  and  exertions,  he  will  expect  your  arrival 
at  your  destined  point,  without  unnecessary  delay 
—led  by  Col.  Arthur  P.  Haynes,  an  officer  in  whom 
he  has  every  confidence.  This  being  eifected,  he 
will  place  himself  at  your  head,  and  with  you  share 
the  dangers  and  hardships  of  the  campaign." 

The  proud  title  and  unfading  laurels  which  these 
gallant  sons  of  the  Republic  had  acquired,  would 
not  suffer  them  to  remain  unmoved  at  an  address 
from  a  chieftain,  under  whom  they  had  acquired 
them.  With  a  promptness  that  had  ever  signalized 
them,  they  repaired  to  their  rendezvous,  and,  un- 
der the  command  of  Col,  Arthur  P.  Haynes,  so  of-- 


310  MEMOIRS    OF 

ten  mentionecl  before,  repaired  to  the  point  of  des- 
tination, at  Fort  Scott. 

Gen.  Jackson,  in  January,  1818,  had  repaired  to 
Georgia,  and  had  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  the 
Georgia  militia.  Situated  in  a  country  which  af- 
fords but  few  materials  for  the  subsistence  of  an  ar- 
my, he  actually  commenced  a  march  of  ten  days 
through  a  wilderness,  with  only  a  pint  of  corn  to 
each  man  per  day!  He  was  also  conscious,  that  a 
supply  could  not  be  relied  upon  at  Fort  Scott.  But 
he  knew  the  importance  of  celerity  in  the  movement 
of  an  army,  and  the  brilliancy  of  his  achievements 
had  hitherto  depended  much  upon  it.  At  Fort 
Scott,  he  formed  a  juction  with  the  regular  for- 
ces; and  upon  the  arrival  of  the  Tennessee  volun- 
teers, was  prepared  to  make  a  sudden  termination 
of  the  Seminole  war. 

This  tribe  had  not  a  solitary  claim  to  compassion, 
excepting  what  arises  from  the  consideration,  that 
they  were  willing  victims  to  Spanish  and  British 
machinations.  Even  their  principal  chief,  Pepiti- 
coxify  when  asked  the  reason  of  his  hostility  against 
the  Ariierican  Republic,  replied, — "  The  government 
were  alnat/s  ready  to  do  him  justice ^  and  to  make 
peace  nith  him  ;  but  that  war  was  a  fine  manly  exer- 
cise ^  in  which  he  wished  to  practice  his  young  men  !  /*' 
Their  "  foreign  seducers,"  were  ever  ready  to  make 
them  victims  to  their  own  infatuation.  The  same 
CqL  Nicollf  of  proclamation  memory,  and  the  same 


^ 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  311 

Capt,  Woodbine^  of  no  memory,  but  that  of  infamy, 
were  found  to  be  skulkint,- anions^  the  Seminoles,  as 
they  sneaked  from  Pensacola  in  the  Jast  war,  after 
having  exposed  the  feeble  and  impotent  Manrequez, 
to  the  just  vengeance  of  a  magnanimous  but  insult- 
ed government. 

By  the  first  week  in  March,  1818,  the  measures  of 
Gen.  Jackson  were  determined  upon ;  and  when  fix- 
ed, Indian  hostility,  Spanish  intrigue,  and  British 
perfidy,  might  as  well  divorce  the  sun  from  the 
ech'ptic,  as  to  divert  him  from  their  accomplish- 
ment. He  had  been  compelled,  in  avenging  the 
injuries  of  his  country,  to  make  the  brave,  infatua- 
ted, and  misguided  Creeks  bleed  at  every  pore.  Al- 
though the  Seminoles  had  less  claim  to  compassion, 
yet  this  great  commander  was  aware  that  they  were 
also  misled  ;  but  upon  them,  as  open  aggressors,  his 
power  wdLS  first  to  operate,  and  then^  upon  ihe'ir  ims- 
leaders.  He  was  determined  to  strike  at  the  root 
of  the  evil ;  and,  if  possible,  to  remove  it. 

jMinute  details  might  be  entered  into,  and  they 
might  gratify  minute  curiosity;  but  it  is  sufficient 
to  say,  that  Gen.  Jackson  marched,  with  his/orces, 
through  a  country,  in  which  the  savages  had  every 
advantage,  from  their  acquaintance  with  it,  and 
from  its  better  adaption  to  savage,  than  to  civilized 
w  arfare.  Like  the  powerful  representative  of  a  j^reat 
people, he  determined  to  punish  the  guilty,  wherev- 
er found,  and  to  spare  the  innocent,  where  innocence 


312  MEMOIRS    OF 

was  evinced.  He  passed  through  that  part  of  the 
American  territory  occupied  by  the  Serainoles;  and 
they  either  fell,  or  retired  before  him  and  his  gallant 
followers.  He  reached  the  borders  of  Florida  upon 
the  10th  March.  Knowing  that  geographical  boun- 
daries were  not  the  boundaries  of  right  and  wrong, 
and  determining  to  penetrate  the  darkest  recesses  of 
guilt,  and  punish  its  instigators,  he  entered  the 
Spanish  province  of  Florida  with  his  forces. 

Many  of  the  countrymen  of  Gen.  Jackson,  have 
bestowed  a  liberal  portion  of  censure  upon  him,  for 
entering  the  territory  of  a  power,  with  an  army, 
with  whom  the  Republic  was  at  peace.  While  it 
is  admitted,  that  Spain  was  ostensibly  at  peace  with 
Americans,  it  must  not  be  denied  that  the  Spanish 
authorities  in  FIori<la  were  palpably  violating  the 
treaty,  by  omitting  to  restrain  the  savages  in  their 
territory  from  acts  of  hostility  against  them,  and 
by  encouraging  the  savages  in  committing  them. 
Should  it  be  said  that  they  were  unable  to  restrain 
them,  from  their  own  weakness,  and  from  the  supe- 
riority of  the  savages,  it  may  be  answered — every 
nation  must  perform  their  own  treaty  stipulations, 
or  suffer  the  consequences  of  a  violation.  Is  not 
the  plea  of  weakness  a  fallacy,  as  it  regards  the  Span- 
ish treaty  with  America  ?  Is  it  to  be  said  that  one 
of  the  *'  Allied  Sovereigns"  of  Europe  cannot  re- 
strain a  single  tribe  of  Indians  from  breaking  his 
treaties  ?     A  tenth  part  of  the   forces  he  has,  for 


A.NDKEW    JICKSON.  313 

years,  raaintained  in  South-America,  vainly  endea- 
vourini^  to  enslave  the  Patriots,  and  subject  them  to 
Spatiish  tyranny,  the  torture,  and  the  Inquisition, 
might  easily  have  restrained  the  Seminole  Indians 
from  depredations  and  murders,  in  the  American 
settlements. 

Gen.  Jackson  had  under  his  command,  and,  of 
course,  under  his  military  protection,  all  that  por- 
tion of  the  Republic  which  bounds  npon  the  exten- 
sive province  of  Florida.  He  held  himself,  in  a  de- 
gree, accountable  for  every  inch  of  territory,  that 
was  invaded,  and  every  limb  and  life  that  was  lost 
by  the  enemies  of  his  country.  He  felt  his  ability 
to  defend  his  extensive  Division  ;  he  knew  it  to  be 
his  duty  ;  and  was  conscious  that  his  country  ex- 
pected it  from  him.  He  saw  his  countrymen  mur- 
dered upon  the  frontiers,  and  the  murderers  protect- 
ed by  a  government  which  was  solemnly  pledged  to 
restrain  the  savages,  who  had  committed  them,  from 
every  act  of  hostility.  It  would  have  been  but  a 
pastime  for  these  blood-seeking,  desperate  Seminoles, 
to  have  saturated  themselves  with  the  blood  of 
American  women  and  children,  and  merely  to  be 
driven  to  their  homes  in  the  forests  of  Florida,  only 
to  prepare  to  glut  their  vengeance  by  repeated  feasts 
of  innocent  blood.  Are  the  swamps  and  ravines  of 
Florida,  like  the  horns  of  ancient  altars,  a  protection 
for  murderers  ?  Ask  the  parents  of  slain  innocents, 
whether  this  is  the  protection  their  government  is 
Co 


314  MEMOIRS    OF 

pledged  to  extend  to  them.  No  matter  what  might 
have  betn  the  instructions  of  the  government  to  Gen. 
Jackson — no  matter  what  may  be  the  opinion  of  the 
fastidious  civilian  upon  abstract  questions  of  inter- 
national law.  The  Spanish  government  had  palpa- 
bly violated  their  treaty  with  America;  and  if  thir- 
teen years  more  of  negociation  were  to  be  spent,  the 
Alabama  territory,  the  frontiers  of  Georgia,  Tennes- 
see, and  Mississippi,  will  have  presented  a  wide 
spread  scene  of  desolation,  in  which  the  bones  of 
American  citizens  would  be  found  mingled  with  the 
ruins  of  their  habitations,  and  the  devastations  of 
the  country. 

Gen.  Jackson,  like  an  an  ancient  patriot,  described 
by  an  ancient  historian,  is  *'  a  man — a  high-minded 
man^  rvho  knoivs  his  dutij,  and  knoning,  dares  perform 
it.'*  He  might  have  said,  as  his  great  and  exalted 
friend.  President  Monroe  did,  when  he  entered  the 
highest  station  filled   by  an  human  being — "  trom 

A    JUST     RESPONSIBILITY     I     SHALL    NEVER    SHRINK." 

He  led  his  army  into  Florida,  The  confidence  of 
the  wretched  Seminolcs  was  converted  to  despair, 
and  they  fled  in  consternation  before  the  avenger  of 
their  inhuman  murders.  He  penetrated  into  the 
interior  of  Florida,  and  captured  Fort  St.  Marks, 
the  dark  scene  of  Spanish  and  British  machinations, 
and  iht  primum  mobile  of  Indian  carnage  and  mas- 
sacre. The  Spanish  authorities  protested  against 
it,  but  conscious  guilt  unnerved  their  arms,  and 
they  dared  not  defend  it  by  force. 


.iNDREW    JACKSON.  315 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Gen.  Jackson  at  Fort  St.  Marks,  Florida — captures  and  executes 
Francis  the  Prophet,  and  an  Indian  Chief— at  the  same  pUice,  takes 
Arbuthnotand  Ambrister — details  a  general  court-martial  for  their 
trial — Trial  of  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister — Remark — Gen.  Jackson 
marches  for  Peosacola — captures  it — appoints  Col.  King  to  the 
command  of  it,  and  retires  to  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Gen.  Jackson  was  now,  (April,  1818,)  in  posses- 
sion of  the  most  important  post  in  Florida,  (if 
Pensacola  be  excepted,) — Fort  St,  Marks,  It  is 
situated  far  in  the  interior  of  thai  province,  upon 
the  river  St,  Marks :  has  long  been  the  theatre  of 
the  most  nefarious  designs,  and  the  starting  point 
from  which  marauders,  depredators,  and  murderers 
have  taken  their  departure — certain  of  being  wel- 
comed home,  when  plunder  and  scalps  were  brought 
with  them.  From  this  place,  Gen.  Jackson  direct- 
ed his  operations  against  the  Seminoles,  yet  unsub- 
dued. An  important  town  of  theirs,  by  the  name 
of  Suwannj/y  thirty  miles  distant,  was  taken  by  a 
detachment  of  the  array.  The  savages  dispersed 
or  surrendered,  in  every  part  of  the  country,  and 
the  war  of  defence  against  the  Seminoles,  was  sud- 
denly brought  to  a  close. 

By  hoisting  a  British  flag  upon  the  fort,  many  hos- 
tile Indians  entered  the  water  craft  in  the  river,  and 


316 


MEMOIRS    Of 


were  captured.  Among  iheifl  were  a  ferocious  chief, 
and  the  Prophet  Francis,  whose  murders,  commit- 
ted and  instigated,  cannot  all  be  mentioned.  They 
suliered  the  reward  of  their  diaboJical  wickednegs 
upon  the  gallows.  The  rest  of  the  savages  were 
discharged.  Francis  hud  recently  visited  England  ; 
and  there  was  found  in  his  possession,  a  general's 
commission  in  the  British  army. 

At  the  same  place  vere  taken  the  two  British 
subjects  before  mentioned — Arbuthnot  and  Ambris- 
ter»  The  most  conclusive  evidence  was  furnished 
Gen.  Jackson,  that  these  men  were,  and  for  a  long 
time  had  been,  in  open  hostility  against  the  Re- 
public. That  they  had  furnished  the  Seminoles 
and  negroes,  with  every  species  of  deadly  weapons, 
the  better  to  enable  them  to  carry  on  war  against 
the  Americans.  That  thev  had  stimulated  them 
to  the  commission  of  many  of  the  murders  that  had 
been  perpetrated  by  them,  upon  the  defenceless 
citizens  upon  the  frontiers ;  and  that  they  had  ren- 
dered themselves  subject  to  the  most  rigorous  exe- 
cution of  vengeance  against  them,  as  violators  of  the 
acknowledged  principles  of  the  law  of  nations. 

Gen.  Jackson,  imitating  the  dignified  moderation 
of  the  government  whose  power  he,  represented, 
detained  them  for  trial,  to  give  them  an  opportuni- 
ty to  evince  their  innocence.  A  general  court- 
martial  was  detailed,  of  thirteen  members.  The 
President  of  this  court  was  Maj.  Gen.  Edmund  P. 


ANDfiEW  JACKSON*  31f 

GaineSy  one  of  the  most  distinguished  and  accom- 
plished officers  in  the  American,  or  any  other  ser- 
vice. The  members  consisted  of  officers  of  high 
reputation  in  the  regular  army  and  in  the  corps  of 
volunteers.  Every  indulgence,  consistent  with  the 
dignity  of  the  proceeding,  was  extended  to  the  ar- 
rested men  ;  and  every  opportunity  afforded  them 
to  make  a  full  defence.  After  the  most  solemn 
deliberation,  the  court  found  them  guilty  of  the 
articles  and  specifications  exhibited  against  them, 
and  ordered  them  to  be  executed.  Gen.  Jackson 
approved  of  the  sentence  ;  and  Arbuthnot  and  Am- 
brister  atoned  with  their  lives,  so  far  as  two  guilty 
lives  could  atone,  for  the  murder  of  many  innocent 
and  worthy  men — many  lovely  and  helpless  wo- 
men — many  weeping  and  beseeching  children,  which 
had  been  instigated  by  them,  and  perpetrated  by 
the  most  ferocious  clan  of  infuriated  desperadoes 
that  infest  the  earth.^ 

These  trials,  these  condemnations,  and  these  ex- 
ecutions, have  excited  unmeaning  clamour  from 
5ome,  and  perhaps,  as  unmeaning  applause  from 
others.  The  wise  advice,  "  first  hear,  and  then 
judge,"  seems  to  have  been  totally  disregarded  up- 
on this  subject.     But  that  every  reader  may  have 

*  To  shew  the  unparalleled  barbarism  of  the  Seminole  clan,  it 
need  only  be  mentioned,  that  in  Jane,  1818,  Bull  Head,  Chief  of 
the  lower  Serainoles.  died  ;  and  that,  four  of  his  finest  plundered 
horses,  aad  his  favourite  negrOj  were  burned  oq  the  occasion. 
Cc2 


318  MEMOIRS    OP 

an  opportunity  of  jud  :inLj;  from  proper  authority, 
the  trial  of  these  ill-fated  men  is  introduced  into 
these  31enioirs.* 

TRIAL  OF  ARBUTMNOT  AND  AMBRISTER, 

AS    TRANSMITTED    EY    THE    PRESIDEN'T    TO  THE  CONGRESS 
OF    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

Minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  a  special  court,   organized 
agreeably  to  the  folloxinng  order,  viz. 

Adjutant  Generars  Office,  Fort  St.  Mark's,  > 
26th  April,    1818.  ] 

Head  Quarters ,  Division  of  tke  South. 

GENERAL    ORDER. 

The  following  detail  will  compose  a  special  court,  to 
convene  at  this  post  at  the  hour  of  12  o'clock,  M.  for 
the  purpose  of  investigating  the  charges  exhibited 
against  A.  Arhuthnot,  Robf^rt  Christy  Arnhrister  and 
such  others,  who  are  similarly  situated,  as  may  be 
brought  before  it. 

The  court  will  record  all  the  documents  and  testi- 
mony in  the  several  cases,  and  their  opinion  as  to  the 
o-uilt  or  innocence  of  thp  prisoners,  and  what  punish- 
ment, (if  any)  should  be  inflicted. 

DETIAL. 

Major  Genera]  E.  P    Gaines,  President. 
Col   King,  4th  infantry, 
Col.  William?,  Ten.  vol. 
Col.  Dyer,  Ten.  vol. 

*  The  trial  of  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister,  is  here  givei>,  as  laid 
before  the  Congress  of  the  Uniteil  States,  except  a  few  letters  of 
minor  consequence,  which  wne  a'iJuced  in  evi  lence  ;  aid  from 
these  every  thing  of  iaiportaace  is  extracteJ,  so  that  the  spirit  of  the 
whole  is  retained. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  310 

Lt.  Col.  Lindsay,  Cor.  Ar, 
Lt   Col.  Elliot,  Ten    vol. 
Lt.  Col   Gibson,  Ten.  vol. 
Maj.  Muhlenberg,  4th  inf. 
3Iaj    MontjijODfiery,  7th  inf. 
Maj.  Fanning,  Cor.  Ar. 
Maj.  iVliuton,  Geo.  Mili. 
Capt.  Vashon,  7th  inf. 
Capt.  Crittenden,  K'y  vol.   Members. 
Lt  J.  M.  Glassel,  7th  infantry,  Recorder. 
An  orderly  will  be  detailed  from   Gen.  Gaines'  bri- 
gade, and  the  court  will  sit  without  regard  to  hours. 
By  order  of  Major  General  Jackson, 

ROBERT  BUTLER,  Adj.  Gen. 

Fort  St  Marks,  26ih  ^prll,  1818. 
The  court  convened  pursuant  to  the  foregoing  order, 
wlien,  being  duly  sworn,  in  the  presence  of  the  prisoner, 
and  he  being  asked  if  he  had  any  objections  to  any  mem- 
ber thereof,  and  replying  in  the  negative,  the  following 
charges  and  specifications  were  read,  viz. 

Charges  vs.  A.  drhuihnot,  now  in  custody,  and  who  says 
he  is  a  British  subject  : 

Charge  1st — Exciting  and  stirring  up  the  Creek  In- 
dians to  war  against  t!ie  United  States,  and  her  citizens, 
he  (A.  Arbuthnot)  being  a  subject  of  Great  Britain, 
with  whom  the  United  States  are  at  peace. 

Specification — That  the  saitl  A.  Arbuthnot,  between 
the  months  of  April  and  July,  or  someiima  in  June, 
1817,  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Little  Prince,  exhorting 
and  advising  him  not  to  comply  with  the  treaty  of  fort 
Jackson,  stating  that  the  citizens  of  the  United  States 
were  infringing  on  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  and,  as  he  be- 
lieved, without  tiie  knowledge  of  the  chief  magistrate 
of  the  United  States  ;  and  advising  the  Upper  and 
Lower   Creeks  to  unite  and  be  friendly,  stating  that 


320  MEMOIRS    OF 

William  Hambly  was  the  cause  of  their  disputes  ;  aUo 
advising  the  Little  Prince  to  write  to  the  grorGrnor  of 
New  Providence,  who  would  write  to  his  royal  highness 
the  prince  regent,  through  whom  the  United  States 
would  be  called  to  a  compliance  with  the  treaty  of 
Ghent,  and  advising  them  not  to  give  up  their  lands, 
under  the  treaty  of  fort  Jackson,  for  that  the  American 
citizens  would  be  compelled  to  give  up  to  them  all  their 
lands,  under  the  treaty  of  Ghent. 

Charge  ^d — Acting  as  a  spy,  and  aiding,  abetting 
and  comforting  the  enemy,  supplying  them  with  the 
means  of  war. 

Specification  1st — In  writing  a  letter  from  the  fort  of 
St.  Marks,  dated  2d  April,  1818,  to  his  son  John,  at 
Suwany,  (marked  A.)  detailing  the  advance  of  the 
array  under  Gen.  Jackson,  stating  their  force,  probable 
movements,  and  intentions,  to  be  communicated  to 
Bowlegs,  the  chief  of  the  JSuwany  towns,  for  iiis  gov- 
ernment. 

Specification  2d — In  writing  the  letters  marked  B, 
without  date,  and  C,  with  enclosures,  27thJan.  1813, 
and  D,  called  "  a  note  of  Indian  talks,"  and  E,  with- 
out date,  applying  to  the  British  government,  through 
governor  Cameron,  for  munitions  of  war,  and  assistance 
for  our  enemies  ;  making  false  representations  ;  and 
also  applying  to  Mr.  Bagot,  British  Ambassador,  for  his 
interference,  with  a  statement,  on  the  back  of  one  of 
the  letters  of  munitions  of  war  for  the  enemy. 

Charge  3d — Exciting  the  Indians  to  murder  and  de- 
stroy William  Hambly,  and  Edmund  Doyle,  and  caus- 
ing their  arrest,  with  a  view  to  their  condemnation  to 
death,  and  the  seizure  of  their  property,  on  account  of 
their  active  and  zealous  exertions  to  maintain  peace 
between  Spain,  the  United  States  and  the  Indians,  they 
being  citizens  of  the  Spanish  government. 

Specification  ls< — In  writing  the  letters  marked  F, 
dated  '26th  August,  1817,  G,  dated  13th  May,  1817, 
and  H,  threatening  them  with  death;  alleging  against 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  321 

them  false  and  infamous  charges,  and  using  every  means 
in  his  power  to  procure  their  arrest.  All  which  writings 
and  sayings  excited,  and  had  a  tendency  to  excite, 
the  negroes  and  Indians  to  acts  of  hostility  against  the 
United  States. 

By  order  of  the  court, 

J.  M.  GLASSEL,  Recorder. 

To  which  charges  and  specifications  the  prisoner 
pleaded  JS'^ot  Guilty. 

The  prisoner  having  made  application  for  counsel,  it 
was  granted  him  ;  when  the  court  proceeded  to  the  ex- 
amination of  the  evidence. 

John  Winslett,  a  witness  on  the  part  of  the  prosecu- 
tion, being  duly  sworn,  stated,  that,  some  time  before 
last  July,  the  Little  Prince  received  a  letter  signed  by  a 
Mr.  Arbuthnot.  advising  the  upper  part  of  the  nation  to 
unite  with  the  lower  chiefs  in  amity  ;  and  stating,  the 
best  mode  for  them  to  repossess  themselves  of  their 
lands,  would  be  to  write  to  him  (Arbuthnot)  and  he 
would  send  their  complaints  to  the  governor  of  Provi- 
dence, whence  it  would  be  for^«rdpd  to  his  Britannic 
majesty,  and  he  \^ould  have  the  terms  Of  the  treaty  of 
Ghent  attended  to.  He  moreover  stated  his  belief, 
that  the  encroachments  on  the  Indian  lands  were  un- 
known to  the  president  of  the  United  States.  The  wit- 
ness also  identified  the  signature  of  the  prisoner  in  a  let- 
ter to  his  son  marked  A,  and  referred  to  in  the  first  spe- 
cification, in  the  second  charjfp,  and  heretofore  noted,  as 
the  same  with  that  sent  to  the  Little  Prince. 

The  witness  on  being  further  interrogated,  stated 
the  language  of  the  letter  alluded  to,  to  be,  that  the 
British  government  on  application  wouM  cause  to  be  re- 
stored to  them  their  lands  they  held  in  18 II,  agreeably 
to  the  terms  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent. 

Question  by  the  prisoner. — Who  is  the  Little  Prince, 
or  is  he  known  by  any  other  name  } 


322  MEMOIRS   OF 

^ns.  He  is  known  by  the  name  of  Tustenukke  Hop- 
in,  and  is  the  second  chief  of  the  nation. 

QHestion  by  the  prisoner. — Where  is  the  letter  yoo  al- 
lude to,  or  in  whose  possession  ? 

Ans.  It  was  left  in  the  possession  of  the  Little  Prince 
when  I  last  saw  it. 

Question  by  the  prisoner. — Has  this  Little  Prince  no 
•ther  name  than  what  you  state  ? 

*^ns.  Not  that  I  know  of. 

Question  by  the  prisoner. — Do  you  swear  that  the  let- 
ter alluded  to  was  addressed  to  the  Little  Prince  ? 

Ans.  I  do  not.  It  was  presented  to  me  by  the  Little 
Prince  to  read  and  intprpret  for  him,  which  I  did. 

Question  by  the  prisoner  — Are  you  certain  that  the 
letter  stated  that  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  United 
States  could  hav^e  no  knowledge  of  settlements  made  on 
Indian  lan<ls  or  injuries  committed  ? 

Ans.  The  letter  stated  that  to  be  the  belief  of  the 
writer. 

John  Lewis  Phenix,  a  witness  on  the  part  of  the 
prosecution,  being  duly  sworn,  stated  with  regard  to  the 
Ist  specification  of  the  ad  charge,  that  being  at  Suwa- 
ny  in  the  town  about  the  6th  or  7th  of  April,  he  was 
awakened  in  the  morning  by  Mr.  Ambrister's  receiving, 
by  the  hands  of  a  negro,  who  got  it  from  an  Indian,  a 
letter  from  St.  Mark's,  at  that  time  stated  by  Ambris- 
ter  to  be  from  the  prisoner. 

Question  by  the  prisoner. — Did  you  see  that  letter  or 
hear  it  read  ? 

Ans.  I  did  see  the  paper,  but  did  not  hear  it  read. 

Question  by  the  prisoner — Did  you  state  tliat  the  let- 
ter was  received  by  an  Indian  express  ? 

Ans.  So  the  black  man  that  delivered  it  said. 

A  question  being  raised  by  a  men.ber  of  the  court  as 
to  the  jurisdiction  on  the  third  charge  and  its  specifica- 
tion, the  doors  were  closed,  and,  after  mature  delibera- 


ANDREW    JACKSOJf.  323 

tion,  they  decided  that  this  court  are  incompetent  to 
take  cognizance  of  the  offences  alleged  in  that  charge 
and  specification. 

Peter  B  Cook,  a  former  clerk  to  the  prisoner,  and  a 
witness  on  the  part  of  tlie  prosecution,  being  duly  swnrn, 
stated  that  about  Deceaiber  or  January  last,  the  pris- 
oner had  a  larjje  qiyintity  of  powder  and  lead  brought  to 
Suwany  in  his  ressel,  which  he  sold  to  the  Indians  and 
negroes,  that,  subsequent  to  that  time,  when  he  cannot 
recollect,  Ambrister  brought  fur  the  prisoner  in  his  (the 
prisoner's)  vessel,  nine  kegs  of  powder  and  a  large 
quantity  of  lead,  which  was  taken  possession  of  by 
the  negroes.  The  witness  also  identified  to  the  follow- 
ing letters,  referred  to  in  the  foregoing  charges  and  spe- 
cifications, marked  A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  F,  G,  and  H,  as 
being  the  prisoner's  hand  writing  ;  also  the  power  of 
attorney  No.  1,  granted  by  the  Indians  to  A.  Arbuth- 
not. 

A. 

From  A.  v^trhuthnot  to  his  son,  John  Jlrhulhnoi,  dated  Fort 

St.  Marks,  '^d  Jipril,   1818,  9  o\lock  in  the  morning. 

Dear  John, 

As  I  am  ill  able  to  write  a  long  letter,  it  is  necessary 
to  be  brief.  Before  ray  arrival  here  the  commandant 
had  received  an  express  from  the  governor  of  Pensaco- 
la,  informing  him  of  a  large  embarkation  of  troops,  &.c. 
under  the  immediate  command  of  General  Jackson  ; 
and  the  boat  that  brought  the  despatch  reckoned  eigh- 
teen sail  of  vessels  off  Appalachicola.  By  a  deserter 
that  was  brought  here  by  the  Indians,  the  commandant 
was  informed  that  3,000  men,  under  the  orders  of  Gen- 
eral Jackson,  1,000  foot  and  1,600  horse,  under  Gene- 
ral Gaines,  500  under  another  general,  were  at  Pros- 
pect Bluff,  where  they  are  rebuilding  the  burnt  fort  ; 
that  1000  Indians,  of  different  nations,  were  at  Spanish 
Bluff,    building  another  fort,  under  the  direction  of 


324  MEMOIRS   OF 

Auierican  officers  ;  that  so  soon  as  these  forts  were  built 
they  intended  to  march  They  have  commenced.  Yes- 
terday morning;  advice  was  received  that  they  had  ap- 
peared near and  taken  two  of  the  sons  of  M'Qu^en, 

and  an  Indian.  Late  in  the  afternoon,  three  schooners 
came  to  anchor  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  this  mor- 
ning the  American  flag  is  seen  flying  on  the  large?<t. 

I  am  blocked  here  ;  no  Indians  will  come  with  me, 
and  I  am  now  suffering  from  the  fatigue  of  coming  here 
alone. 

The  main  drift  of  the  Americans  is  to  destroy  the 
black  population  of  Suwany.  Tell  my  friend  Boleck. 
that  it  is  throwing  away  his  people,  to  attempt  to  resist 
such  a  powerful  force  as  will  be  drawn  on  Sahwahnee  ; 
and  as  the  troops  advance  by  land,  so  will  the  vessels  by 
sea.  Endeavor  to  get  all  the  goods  over  the  river  in  a 
place  of  security,  as  also  the  skins  of  all  sorts  ;  the  corn 
niu?t  be  left  to  its  fate.  So  soon  as  the  Sahwahnee  is  de- 
stroyed, I  expect  the  Americans  will  be  satisfied  and 
retire  :  this  is  only  my  opinion,  but  I  think  it  is  confor- 
mable to  the  demand  made  by  Gen  Gaines  to  king 
Hatchy  some  months  since  :  in  fact,  do  all  you  can  to 
save  all  you  can  save,  the  books  particularly.  It  is  pro- 
bable the  commandant  will  receive  some  communication 
fronj  the  vessels  to  day,  when  he  will  know  more  cer- 
tainly what  are  their  motives  in  coming  off  the  fort.  I 
think  it  is  only  to  shut  up  the  passage  to  the  Indians. 
Twenty  canoes  went  down  yesterday,  and  were  forced 
to  return.  The  road  between  this  and  Mirkasucky  is 
said  to  be  st')pped.  Hillisajo  and  Himathlo  Mico  were 
here  last  night,  to  hear  what  vessels  :  they  will  remove 
all  their  cattle  and  effects  across  St.  Mark's  river  this 
morning:,  and  peihaps  wail  near  thereto  for  thf  event. 

I  have  been  as  brief  as  I  can  to  give  you  the  substance 
of  what  appears  facts,  that  cannot  be  doubted,  to  enter 
into  details  in  the  present  moment  is  useless.  If  the 
schooner  is  returned,  get  all  the  goods  on  board  of  her, 
and  let  her  start  off  for  Mouoater  creek,  in  the  bottom 


ANDllEW    JACKSON.  3^6 

of  Cedar  Key  bay.  You  will  there  only  have  the  skins 
to  hide  away.  But  no  delay  must  take  place,  as  the  ves- 
sels will  no  doubt,  follow  the  land  army,  and  perhaps, 
even  now,  some  have  gone  round.  I  pray  your  strictest 
attention,  for  the  more  that  is  saved  will  be,  eventually, 
more  to  your  interest.  Let  the  bearer  have  as  much 
calico  as  will  make  him  two  shirts,  for  his  trouble  :  he 
has  promised  to  deliver  this  in  three,  but  I  give  him  four 
days.         I  am  yours,  aiFcctionately, 

A.  ARBUTHINOT. 
B. 

From  A.  Jirhuihnot  to    Chas.  Cameron,   Gov.   Bahamasi 

Sir— Being  empowered  by  the  chiefs  of  tlie  Lower 
Cref  k  nation  to  represent  the  state  of  their  nation  to 
your  excellency,  that  you  may  be  pleased  to-  forward 
the  same  fur  the  information  of  his  majesty's  govern- 
ment, to  whom  alone  they  look  for  protection  against  the 
aggressions  and  encroachments  of  the  Americans,  1 
beg  leave  to  submit  to  your  .excellency  the  enclosed  rep- 
resentations, humbly  praying  th«t  your  excellency  will 
be  pleased  to  take  an  early  opportunity  uf  forwarding 
the  same  to  Great  Britain. 

I  aiu  instructed  by  Boleck,  chief  of  the  Sahwahnee, 
to  make  the  demand  herein  enclosed,  he  never  having 
had  any  share  of  the  presents  distributed  at  Prospect 
Bluff,  though  he  rendered  equally  j^ssential  services  as 
any  of  the  other  chiefs  to  the  British  cause,  wiiile  at  war 
with  America,  and  was  at  New  Orleans  with  a  part 
of  his  warriors.  His  frontiers  being  mure  exposed  to 
the  predatory  incursions  of  the  back  Georgians,  who 
enter  his  territory  and  drive  off  his  cattle,  he  is  obliged 
to  have  large  parties  out,  to  watch  their  motions,  and 
prevent  their  plundering  And,  being  now  deficient  of 
ammunition,  he  prays  your  excellency  will  grant  his 
small  demand,  humbly  submitting  the  same 

1  nave  the  honor  to  be  your  excellency's  most  humble 
servant,  A.  A. 

Dd 


326  MEMOIRS    OiF 

The  humble  representations  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Creek  nation 
to  his  excellency  Gov.  Cameron. 

First,  we  bpg  leave  to  represent,  that  Edmund  Doyle 
and  William  Hambly,  lately  clerks,  at  Prospect  Bluff, 
to  Messrs.  Forbes,  Sic.  and  who  still  reside  on  the  Appa- 
lachicola  river,  we  consider  as  the  principal  cause  of  our 
present  troubles  and  uneasiness.  Hambly  was  the  in- 
strumental cause  of  the  fort  at  Prospect  Bluff  beinjr  de- 
stroyed by  the  Americans,  by  which  we  lost  the  supplies 
intended!  for  our  luture  wars.  Since  then,  both  these 
men  "have  kept  their  emissaries  amonj^  us,  tending  to 
harass  and  disturb  our  repose,  and  that  of  our  brethren 
dI  the  middle  and  upper  natinn  ;  they  spread  among  us 
reports  that  the  Cowetas,  aiiled  by  the  Americans,  are 
tb.srenilitig  to  drive  us  off  our  land  ;  they  equally  propa- 
gate false. 

C. 

From  A.  Arhiithnot  to  Benj.  Moodie,  Esq.  enclosiiior  letters 
to  Charles  Bao^ot,  Esq.  British  J\Jinister  at  fVashington, 

Sahivahneey  in  the  Creek  jYation,  21tk  Jan.  1818. 
Sir — The  enclosed,  containing  matter  of  serious 
moment,  and  df-niantliiig  the  immediate  attention  of  bis 
excellency  the  British  ambassador,  I  trust  be  will,  for 
this  time,  forj^ive  the  trifling  expense  of  postage,  which 
I  have  endeavored  to  prevent  as  much  as  possible,  by 
compressing  much  matter  in  one  sheet  of  paper.  Should 
you,  sir,  be  put  to  any  trouble  or  expense,  by  this  trou- 
ble I  give  you,  by  being  made  acquninted  with  the  same, 
I  will  Instruct  Bnin,  Dunshee  and  Co.  to  order  payment 
of  tlie  same.  1  have  the  honor  to  bp,  sir,  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servant,  A.  ARBUTH^OT. 

From  Ji.  S^'bvlhnot  to  the  Hon.  Charles  Bagot. 
Sir — It  is  with  pain  I  again  obtrude  myself  upon  your 
^excellency's  notice,  but  the  pressing  eolicitations  of  the 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  327 

cliier8  of  the  Creek  nation,  and  the  deplorable  situation 
in  whirli  they  are  placed  by  the  wanton  a;jgrevSsions  of 
the  Americans.  I  trust,  your  excellency  will  take  as  a 
auffirieiu  apologjy  for  the  pr»-sent  intrusion. 

In  Ao^ust  last,  the  head  ciij.  f  of  the  Seminole  In- 
dians rect'i^ed  a  letter  from  Gen  Giines,  of  which  I 
have  tai<en  the  liheriy  of  annexinj;  yom-  Hxcellenry  the 
contents,  as  Oelivored  mp  by  the  chief's  head  English 
interptetf^r,  with  kingj  Hahliy's  reply  thereto. 

This  Inner  appears  to  have  bet^n  intended  to  sound 
the  disposition  of  the  chief,  and  ascertain  the  force  ne- 
cessary to  overrun  the  nation  ;  (or,  from  then  until  the 
actual  ati.'  'k  was  njade  on  Fowl  Town,  the  same  gene- 
ral, with  Gen.  Jark«ion,  seem  to  have  been  collecting 
troops  and  settling  in  various  quarters. 

if  your  excellency  desires  tf)  have  further  Information 
re.>^ppc!ing  the  situation  of  this  country  and  its  in.abi- 
tants,  I  can,  from  time  to  time,  inform  your  excellency 
of  such  facts  and  circumstances  as  are  stated  to  me  by 
chiels  of  known  veracity,  or  which  may  come  under  my 
own  observation  ;  and  your  excellency's  order,  addres- 
sed to  me  at  New  Providence,  will  either  find  me  there 
©r  bf  forwarded  me  to  this  country. 

With  great  respect,  1  have  tlie  honour  to  be  your  ex- 
cellency's most  obedient  servant,  A.  A. 

The  tollowing  memorandum  was  on  the  back  of  the 
foregoing  btter  : — 

King  Hahhy  1000,  Boleck  1500,  Oso  Hatjo  Chocta- 
whachy  500,  Himashy  Miso  Chattchichy  600,  at  pre- 
sent with  Hillisajij.  At  present  under  arms,  1000  and 
muff  ;  anfl  attacking  those  Americans  who  have  made 
inroads  en  their  territory. 

A  quantity  of  gun  powder,  I^ad,  muskets,  and  flints, 
sufficient  to  arm  iOOO  or  2000  men  ;  muskets  1000, 
aums  smaller  if  possible  ;  10,000  flints,  a  proportion  for 
rifl*',  put  up  separate  j  50  casks  gun  powiler,  a  propor- 
tion for  rifle  ;  iOOO  knives,  6  to  9  inch  blade,  good  qua- 


S2S  ilEMOIRS    OF 

lity  ;  1000  tomahawks  ;  100  lbs.  vermllllon  ;  2000  lbs, 
lead,  independent  of  ball  fur  muskets. 

(Signed,)         King  HAHHY. 

(Signed,)  BOLECK. 

From  General  Gaines  to  the  Seminoly  Chief. 

To  the  Seminoly  chief:  Your  Semlnolys  are  vt^ry 
ba'!  people:  I  don't  say  whom.  You  have  murdered 
many  of  my  people,  and  stulen  my  cattle,  and  many 
good  horses,  that  cost  me  money  ;  and  many  good  hou- 
ses, that  co*t  me  money,  you  have  burnt  for  me  ;  and 
now  that  you  see  my  writing,  you'll  think  I  have  spoken 
right.  I  know  it  is  so  ;  you  know  it  is  so  ;  for  now 
you  may  say,  I  will  go  upon  yi«u  ai  random  ;  but  just 
give  me  the  murderers,  and  I  will  shew  them  my  law, 
and  when  lliat  is  finished  and  past,  if  you  will  come 
about  any  of  my  people,  you  will  see  your  friends,  and 
if  you  see  me  you  will  see  your  friend.  But  there  is 
som«  thing  out  in  the  sea  ;  a  bird  with  a  forked  tongue  : 
whip. him  back  before  he  lamls,  for  he  will  be  the  ruin 
of  you  yet.  Perhaps  you  do  not  know  who  or  wl)at  I 
mean — 1  mean  the  name  of  Englishmen. 

I  tell  you  this,  that  if  you  do  not  give  me  up  the  mur- 
derers who  have  murdered  my  people,  I  say  I  have  got 
good  strorsg  warriors,  with  scalping  knives  and  toma- 
hawks. You  harbour  a  great  many  of  my  black  people 
among  you,  at  Sahwahnee.  If  you  give  me  l^ave  to  go 
by  }(iu  against  them,  I  shall  not  hurt  any  thing  belong- 
ing to  you.  (Signed,)  General  GAINES. 

From  King  Hatchy  to  General  GaineSj  in  answer  to  the 
foregoing. 
To  General  Gaines  :  You  charge  me  with  killing  your 
people,  stealing  your  rattle,  and  burning  your  houses. 
It  is  I  tliat  IjHve  cause  to  complain  of  the  Am^^icans. 
While  one  American  has  been  justly  killed,  while  in  the 
act  of  stealing  cattle,  more  than  four  Indians  have  been 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  329 

murdered  while  hunting,  by  these  lawless  freebooters. 
1  harbour  no  negroes.  When  the  Englishmen  were  at 
war  with  America,  some  took  shelter  among  them,  and 
it  is  f  T  you  white  people  to  settle  these  things  among 
yourselves,  and  not  tiouble  us  with  what  we  know  no- 
thmjf  about.  I  shall  use  force  to  stop  any  armed  Ameri- 
cans from  passing  my  towns  or  my  lands. 

(Signed,)         King  HATCHY. 

D. 

'^M)le  of  Indian  Talksy 

In  xAugust,  Capp  had  a  letter  frona  General  Gaines, 
in  substance  as  annexed.   No.  I,   and  returneil  the   an- 
swer a**  by  No.  2.     Nothing  further  was  said  on  either 
side.     The  end  of  October  a  party  of  Americans,  from 
a  fort  on  Flint  river,  surrounded  Fowl  fown  during  the 
night,   and   began  burning  it.     The  Indians  then  in  it, 
fled   to   the   swamps,   and  in  their  flight  nad  three  per- 
sons  killed   by  fire   from   the  Americans  :  they  rallied 
their  people,  and  forced  the  Americans  to  retire  some 
distance,    but    not   bpfore  they  had  two   m're  persons 
kdled.     The  Aniericans   buill  a    block-hous^e   or  fort, 
where  they  had  fallen  back  to,  and  immediately  sent  to 
the  fort  up  the   country  for  assistance,   staling   the   In- 
dians were  the  aggressors  ;  and  also  settled  with  Tohe- 
naock  for  the  loss  his  people  had  suffered,   at  the  same 
time  sending  a  talk   to   king   Hatchy,   by  a  head   man, 
(Aping,)  that  he  would   put  tilings  in  sufh  a  train  as  to 
prevent   further  enrroaclimr-nts,    and   get  those  Ameri- 
cans  to  leave  the  fort*     But   no  sooner  was  the  good 
talk  given,  and   before  the  hearer  of  it  returned  home, 
than   hundreds  of  Americans  came  pouring  duwn  on  the 
Indians  ;  roused  tt.enj  to  a  sense  of  their  own   danger  : 
they  flew  to  arms,  and  have  been  compelled  to  support 
them  ev^jr  since.     It  is  not  alone  from  the  country,  but 
by  vessels  entering  Appaiachicola  river  in  vessels  with 
troops,  and  settl.rsare  pouring  into  thy  Indian  territo- 
Dd2 


330  iJt-MOiRs  Of 

ry  \  and,  if  pprmlttpd  to  continue,  will  soon  overrun  llie 
wIioIp  of  th«^  loiUan  lam!s  Fi  mh  the  talk  sent  Kin^ 
Hatcl-y,  ('V  Governor  iMitchdl,  I  am  in  hopes  thut 
those  Hggrt^ssiMns  of  the  Atnenr-ans  on  the  Indian  terri- 
tory aif  not  cuiintenanrcd  by  the  Arnerican  {i'^^^»'nn»f  nt, 
but  ()rit;inato  with  men  devoid  of  prjneiple,  who  set  laws 
and  inslrticiions  at  defiance,  and  silii  k  at  no  cruelty  and 
oppressions  ti)  obtain  their  ends.  Ajjainsi  such  oppres- 
sions the  AQ:icrican  {government  must  use  not  only  all 
their  influence,  but,  if  necessary,  force,  or  their  names 
%vill  be  handed  down  to  posterity  as  a  cation  more  cruel 
anil  sava^'e  to  tne  unfortunate  Aborij;ines  of  this  coun- 
try, than  ever  were  the  Spaniards,  in  more  dark  ages^ 
to  the  nations  of  South-America. 

The  Etjj^lish  fjoverninent,  as  the  special  protectors  of 
the  Indian  nations,  and  <»n  wliom  alone  they  rely  for  as- 
sistance, oug:ht  to  step  forward  and  save  those  unfortu- 
nate people  from  r^in  ;  ami  as  you,  sir,  are  appointed 
to  watch  over  their  interests,  it  is  my  duty,  as  an  Eng- 
lishman, and  fhe  only  one  in  this  part  (f  the  Indian  na- 
tion, to  instruct  you  of  the  talks  the  chiefs  bring  me  for 
your  information  ;  and  I  sincerely  trust,  sir,  you  wilt 
use  the  powers  you  are  vested  with,  for  the  seivice  and 
protection  of  those  unf'jrtunale  people,  who  look  up  to 
you  as  their  saviour.  I  have  written  to  Gen.  jMitchell, 
wlio,  I  hear,  is  an  excellent  man;  and,  as  he  acts  as 
Indian  agent,  I  hope  his  influence  will  stop  the  torrent 
of  innovations,  and  give  peace  and  quietness  to  the 
Crook  nation. 

I  pray  your  excellency  will  pardon  tbis  intrusion, 
\vhich  notiiino  b^t  the  urgency  of  the  case,  would  have 
induced  me  to  inake. 

{  have  the  honour  to  be  your  excellency's  most  obe 
dieist  servant,  A.  A 


ANDREW    JACKSON, 


331 


EXTRACT    OF    LETTER    F. 

From  A.  Arbuthnot  to  Col.  JVtcholl. 

Nassau,  N    P.  2t)th  Au?.  1817. 

Lieut.  Col.  Edward  NiclioU— Sir— Especially  au- 
thorised by  the  chiefs  of  the  lower  Creek  nation,  whose 
names  I  affix  to  the  present,  I  am  desired  to  address 
you,  that  you  may  lay  their  complaints  before  his  majes- 
ty's government.  They  desire  it  to  be  made  known, 
that  they  have  explicitly  followed  y^ur  advice.  They 
complain  of  the  English  government  neglectinj;  them, 
after  having  drawn  them  into  a  war  with  America  ;  that 
you,  sir,  have  not  kept  your  promise,  in  sending  people 
among  them,  and  that,  if  they  have  not  some  persons 
resident  in  the  nation  tc  watch  over  their  interest,  they 
will  soon  be  driven  to  the  extremity  of  the  peninsula.  I 
am  desired  to  return  HiUisajo's  warmest  acknowledg- 
ments for  the  very  handsome  manner  you  treated  him 
in  England,  and  he  begs  his  pi  aver  may  be  laid  at  the 
foot  of  his  Royal  Mighness  the  Prince  Regent.  I  left 
liirn  and  all  his  family  well  on  the  ^iOth  June  Old  Cap- 
pachimicco  desires  me  to  send  his  best  respects,  and  re- 
quests that  you  will  send  out  some  people  to  live  among 
them,  and  all  the  land  they  took  fromFor6sshall.be 
theirs.  At  all  events  they  must  have  an  agent  among 
theii).  The  power  given  me,  and  the  instructions  were, 
to  memorialize  his" Majesty's  government,  as  well  as 
the  Governor-General  of  the  Havana  ;  but  if  you  will 
be  pleased  to  lay  this  letter  before  his  Majesty's  vSecre- 
tary  of  State,  it  will  save  the  necessity  of  the  first,  and 
I  fear  that  a  memorial  to  the  Governor-General  would 
be  of  no  use. 

Referring  you  to  the  answer,  I  am,  most  respectfully, 
your  obedient  servant,  A.  ARBUTHNOT. 

No.  1. 

Power  of  attorney  from  Indian  chiefs  to  Jl.  Arbuthnot. 
Know  all  men   by  these  presents,  that  we,  chiefs  of 


332  MEMOIRS    Of 

the  Creek  nation,  whose  names  are  affixeJ  to  this  pow- 
er. iiKvin^  full  faith  nnd  cuufidence  in  A.  Arbiithnot,  of 
New  Providence,  who,  knowing  all  our  talks,  is  fully 
acquainted  with  our  intentions  and  wishes,  do  hereby, 
by  these  presents,  constitute  and  appoint  him,  the  snid 
Alexander  Arbuthnot,  our  attorney  and  agent,  with  full 
power  and  authority  to  act  for  us,  and  in  our  names,  in 
all  affairs  relating  to  our  natitm,  and  also  to  write  such 
letters  and  papers  as  to  him  may  appear  necessary  and 
proper,  for  our  benefit,  and  that  of  the  Creek  nation. 

Given  at  Ocklocknee  sound,  in  the  Creek  nation,  this 
17th  day  of  June,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  se- 
venteen. 

1.  Cappachimaco,  his  X  mark. 

2.  Inlemohtio,  his  X  mark. 

3.  Charles  Turkonoky,  liis  X  mark. 

4.  Otus  Mico,  his  X  mark. 

5.  Oofiaeone  Tusk  n 'ky,  his  X  mark. 

6.  Imatchiuf-le,  his  X  mark. 

7.  InhimHiCchucle,  his  X  mark. 

8.  Lohoe  Itamatchly,  hif=  X  mark. 

9.  Huwratlile,   his  X  mark. 

10.  Hillisajo,  his  X  mark. 

11.  Tausuclies  Haho,  his  X  mark. 

12.  Oparthlumico,  his  X  mark. 

Certified  explanation  of  names  and  towns  to  which 
the  foregoing  chiels  belong, -agreeably  to  tfie  numbers 
set  opposite  thereto.  WM.  HAx>lBLY. 

1.  Kinhijijee,  chief  of  Mickasuky. 

2.  Itihimartiilo,  chief  of  Fowl  Town. 

3.  Charle   Tustonoky,   second    chief  of  Ockmulgee 

Town. 

4.  Chief  on  the  Conholoway,  below  Fort  Gaines. 

5.  Opony,  chief  of  Oakmnlgee  Towns. 

6.  Chief  of  llu'  Atlapnlj^HS. 

7.  Chief  of  Pallatchuculey. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  .133 

S.  Chief  of  the  Chehaws. 

9    Chief  of  the  Red  Slicks. 
10.  Francis,  (the  Prophet.) 
1 1     Pfter  M'Queen,  chief  of  the  Tallahasses,  (an  old 

Red  Stick.) 
12.  A  Red  Stick,  created  chief  by  the  lower  towns. 

Question  by  the  court, — Have  you  at  any  time  within 
the  last  twelve  months,  heard  any  conversation  between 
the  prisoner  and  the  chiff  called  Bowlegs,  relating  to 
the  war  between  the  United  States  and  the  Seminoles. 

^ns  I  heard  the  prisoner  tell  Bowlegs  that  he  had 
sent  letters  to  the  prince  regent,  and  expected  soon  to 
have  an  answer.  Sometime  afterwards,  some  of  the 
negroes  doubted  his  carrying  those  letters,  when  the 
prisoner  stated  that  he  had,  but,  the  distance  being 
grefit,  it  would  take  some  time  to  receive  an  answer. 

Bij  the  court. — State  to  the  court,  when  and  where 
you  first  saw  the  letter  signed  A.  Arbutlmot,  dated  April 
2d,  1818,  referred  to  in  the  first  specification  and  the^d 
charge, 

*^ns.  About  the  6th  of  April,  a  black  man  who  said 
he  had  received  it  from  an  Indian,  gave  it  to  Mr.  Am- 
brinter,  whom  I  saw  reading  it. 

Ques  by  the  court — Do  you  know  by  what  means 
that  letter  was  conveyed  to  Suwany  ? 

Alls  I  understood  by  an  Indian  who  was  sent  from 
fort  St.  Marks. 

Q,ues.  by  the  court  — Who  paid  the  Indian  for  carrying 
the  letter  referred  to  in  the  last  interrogatory  ? 

Ans.   I  do  not  know. 

Qmcs.  by  the  co^tr^  — What  steps  were  taken  by  the 
negroes  and  indians  on  the  receipt  of  the  letter  } 

Ahs  They  first  believed  the  bearer  to  be  an  enemy, 
and  ronfined  tiim,  but,  learning  the  contrary,  began  to 
prepare  for  the  enemy,  and  the  removal  of  their  fami- 
lies and  effects  across  the  river  ;  the  Indians  lived  on 
tihc  opposite  side. 


334  MEMOIRS    OF 

Ques.  by  the  covrt.  —  Did  tlip  Indians  and  npgrofts  act 
to;ieLherin  the  pf^rformiincp  of  ujiliiary  dut}'  ? 

Ans.  No  :  But  they  always  said  they  wouid  figlit  to- 
gether. 

Ques.  by  the  court. — Did  not  Nero  command  the 
blacks,  and  di<i  not  Bowlegs  own  N<'ro,  and  whs  not  the 
lattfr  under  the  immediate  command  of  Bowlegs  ? 

Ans.  Nero  commanded  the  blacks,  and  was  owned 
and  commanded  by  Bowlegs  :  but  there  were  some  ne- 
gro r-aptaiiis  who  obeyed  none  but  Nero. 

Ques  by  tire  court.  —  What  vessel  brought  to  Suwany 
the  ammunition  which  you  said  was  sold  by  the  prisoner 
to  the  ImJians  and  neg;roe8  ? 

t8ns.  The  schooner  enhance,  now  lying  atthis  wharf : 
she  is  a  foretopsail  vessel  belonging  to  the  prisoner. 

The  witness  also  i<lentifipd  to  the  manuscript  of  the 
prisoner  on  the  lolhtwing  documents,  vi2.  No.  1,  {grant- 
ing him  full  power  to  art  in  all  cases  for  the  Indians,  as 
recorded  before  ;  and  also  a  lettei  without  signature,  to 
the  g^overnor  of  St.  Augustine,  numbered  2  ;  and  fur- 
ther, a  letter  withi  ut  date,  to  Mr  Mitchell,  the  Indian 
agent,  numbered  3  ;  and  an  unsigned  petition  of  the 
chiefs  of  the  Lower  Creek  nation,  to  governor  Came- 
ron, praying  his  aid  in  men  and  muniiions  of  war,  num- 
bered 4  ;  all  of  which  the  witness  stated  to  be  in  thf 
hand  writing  of  the  prisoner. 

EXTRACT    OF   PETITION   NO.  4. 

Petition  of  the  Chiefs  of  the  Lower  Creek  JVatioUy  to 
governor  Cameron. 
We  the  undersigned,  deputed  by  the  Creek  Nation 
to  wait  on  your  excellency,  and  lay  before  you  their 
hepvy  complaints.  To  the  English,  we  have  always 
looked  up  to  as  friends,  as  protectors,  and  oc  them  we 
now  call  to  aid  ua  in  repelling  the  approaches  of  the 
Aaiencans.     When  peace  was  made  between  the  Eng- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  33o 

lish  and  the  Americans,  we  were  told  by  Lieut.  Colonel 
Nif'holls,  that  the  Auiericnns  were  to  give  up  all  our 
lands  tfiey  had  takrn  from  us.  Colonel  Nirholls  left 
Ml.  Hainbly  in  charge  of  the  fort  at  Prospect  Bluff  j 
With  orders  to  hear  us,  if  any  cause  of  com|)lainii  and 
present  the  same  to  th(i  British  government  ;  but  he 
turned  trait'ir,  and  brought  the  Americans  down  on  tiie 
fort,  which  was  blown  up,  and  many  of  our  red  breth- 
ren destroyed  in  it.  We  are  therefore  deputed  to  de- 
mand of  your  excellency  the  assistance  of  troops  and 
ammunition,  that  we  may  be  able  effectually  to  repel 
the  attack  of  the  Americans,  and  prevent  their  further 
encroachments  ;  and  if  we  return  without  assistance, 
the  Americans,  who  have  their  spies  among  us,  will  the 
more  quickly  come  upon  us.  We  most  iuimbly  pray 
your  excellency  will  send  us  such  a  force  as  will  be  re- 
spected, and  make  us  respectable. 

[The  following  endorsed  on  the  foregoing.] 

Charles  Cameron,  Esquire,  Governor,  Commander  in 
in  Chief,  Sfc.  8fc. 
I  beg  leave  to  represent  to  your  excellency  the  ne- 
cessity of  my  again  returning  to  the  Indian  Nation,  with 
the  deputies  from  the  Chiefs,  and  as  my  ^.rouble  and  ex- 
pense can  only  be  defrayed  by  permission  to  take  goods 
to  dispose  of  amongst  them,  I  pray  your  excellency  will 
be  pleased  to  grant  me  such  a  letter  or  license,  as  will 
prevent  me  from  being  captured  in  case  of  meeting  any 
Spanish  cruizer  on  the  coast  of  Florida. 

The  court  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow  morning  at 
6  o'clock. 

Fort  St.  MarlcB,  28th  April,  1818. 
The  court  convened  pursuant  to  adjournment. — Pre* 
sent  Major-General  E.  P.  Gaines,  president. 
Members. 
Colonel  King,  Colonel  Dyer, 


336  MEMOIRS    OF 

Colonel  Williams,  Lt   Col    Lindsey, 

Lt  Col   Gibson,  Li.  Cul.  Elliott, 

Major  IMuhienberg,  Major  Fanning, 

Major  IVlontjjuin^iy,  Mwjor  IMinton, 

Captain  Vashon,  Capain  Crittenden. 

Lt.  J.  M    Glassell,  Reconier. 

When  the  further  examination  of  the  witness,  Peter 
B.  Cook,  took  place,  viz.  : 

Question  by  the  prisoner. — How  lon{r  have  you  been 
acquainted  with  the  settlements  on  the  Sahwahnee  ? 

Jlns     B*;tween  six  and  seven  months. 

Q?/€&.  by  the  P  For  what  term  of  years  did  you  en- 
gage to  live  with  the  prisoner  ? 

Aiis    V"r  nc  stated  pf-riod — I  was  taken  by  the  year. 

Ques.  bij  the  P  Were  you  not  discharged  by  the  pri- 
soner from  his  employ  ? 

Jiris.  He  tidd  me  he  had  no  further  use  for  me  after  I 
had  written  the  letters  to  Proviilence. 

Q«es.    Where  ilid  you  efay  after  you  were  discharged  "? 

Jins  I  staid  in  a  ^iiiiall  hous^  belon^'ing  to  a  boy  rail- 
ed '"t   John,  under  the  jTotection  of  ;N<  ro. 

Qj/es.  Wh^t  was  the  subject  matter  of  the  letters  you 
wrote  to  Providence  ? 

Jins  After  being  refused  by  the  prisoner  a  small  ven- 
ture to  PiovJjUnce,  I  wrote  my  friends  for  the  means 
to  trade  by  myself 

Qifes  by  the  P  Do  you  believe  the  prisoner  had  know- 
ledge  of  tlie  venture's  being  on  boanl  the  schooner  ^ 

Jlns.  I  don't  believe  he  did.  It  was  small  and  m  my 
trut.k. 

Ques  hxj  Ike  P.  Do  you  know  that  Ambrister  was  the 
agtDi  of  the  prisoner  ? 

Jlns    \  do  not. 

Ques.  Do  you  think  that  the  powder  and  the  lead 
shipped  Would  moj-e  than  supply  the  Indian  and  negro 
hunters  ? 

Jlns.  I  did  not  see  the  powder  and  lead  myself,  but 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  33? 

was  told  by  Bowlegs  that  he  had  a  great  quantity  he 
had  there  keeping-  to  fight  with. 

Q,«es.  Did  the  Indians  reside  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river  ? 

v5ns.   They  did 

(clues  You  were  asked  if  the  negroes  and  Indians, 
when  the  Ktter  noarked  A,  was  communicated,  did  not 
take  up  arms  ?  Had  they  recei'yed  infurmation  ot  the 
defeat  of  the  Indians  at  iNlickasuky  prior  to  that  time  ? 

,ins.  It  was  afterwards,  i  believe,  they  received  the 
information 

Qwes.  Did  not  Bowlegs  keep  other  powder  than  that 
got  from  the  pi'isoner  ? 

j^ns  He  had  some  he  got  from  the  Bluff,  which  was 
nearly  <li'ne  :  he  said  his  hunteis  were  always  bothering 
him  abnut  powder. 

Ques.  Did  you  state  that  at  tlie  time  Ambrister  as- 
cended the  river,  there  was  no  other  vessel  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river  ? 

^ns.  There  was  none  other  there  :  there  was  one 
had  sailed. 

(lues.  There  is  a  letter  A  spoken  of:  how  do  you 
know  that  the  son  of  the  prisoner  had  tiiat  letter  in  his 
possession  ? 

Ans  I  saw  l\im  with  it,  which  he  dropped,  and  a  boy 
called  John,   picked  up  and  gave  it  to  me. 

Qiiei  You  stated  that  the  Indians  and  n«^^roes  doubt- 
ed the  fidelity  of  the  prisoner  in  sendir^g  letters  lo  the 
Prince  Regent  :  do  you  th.ink  the  p>  istner  would  have 
been  punished  by  them,  had  he  not  coujplied  with  tneir 
wishes  ? 

Jins.   I  do  not  know. 

Q,ues.  Do  you  believe  the  prisoner  was  compelled  te 
writf^  the  Indian  communications  ? 

^ns.  He  was  not  compelled, 

Ee 


338  MEMOIRS    OF 

Continuation  of  the  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  a  special 
court,  whereof  major-general  Gaines  is  jjrtsidentj  con- 
vened  by  order  of  the  '26lh  of  Jipril^  1818. 

Fort  St.  iMarks,  27lh  April,  1818. 
The  court  proceeded  to  the  trial  of  Robert  C.  Am- 
brister,  a  British  subject,  who,  bein^  asked  if  he  had 
any  objections  to  any  one  of  the  ruenribers  of  the  court, 
and  replying  in  the  negative,  was  arraigned  on  the  fol- 
lowing ciiarges  and  specifications,  viz. 

Charges   against   Robert  C.  Ambrister^  now  in  custody, 
who  says  he  in  a  British  subject. 

Charge  Is/.  Aiding,  abetting,  and  comforting  the 
enemy  ,  supplying  them  with  the  means  of  war,  he  being 
a  subject  of  Great-Britain,  at  peace  with  the  United 
States,  and  lately  an  tfficer  in  the  British  colonial  ma- 
rines. 

Specification  1st.  That  the  said  Robert  C.  Ambrister 
did  jrive  intelligence  of  the  movements  and  operations 
of  the  Anserican  army  between  the  1st  and  iiOth  of 
March,  1818,  and  did  excite  them  (the  negroes  and  In- 
dians) to  warag^ainst  the  army  of  the  United  States,  by 
sending  their  warriors  to  meet  and  fight  the  American 
army — whose  government  was  at  peace  and  friendship 
with  the  United  States  and  all  her  citizens. 

Charge  2c?.  Leading  and  commanding  the  Lower 
Creeks  in  carrying  on  a  war  against  tiie  United  States. 

Specification  1st.  That  the  said  Robert  C  Ambris- 
ter, a  subject  of  Great-Britain,  which  government  was 
in  peace  and  amity  with  the  United  States  and  all  her 
citizens,  did,  between  the  first  of  February  and  twenti- 
eth of  March,  1818,  levy  war  against  the  United  States, 
by  as8un)ing  command  of  the  Indians  in  hostility  and 
oppii  war  with  the  United  States,  and  ordering  a  party 
of  them  to  meet  the  army  of  the  United  States  and  give 
them  battle,  as  will  appear  by  his  letters  to  governor 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  339 

Cameron  of  New-Providence,  dated  20th  March,  1818, 
which  are  marked  A,  B,  C,  and  D,  and  the  testimony 
of  Mr.  Peter  B.  Cook  and  capt.  Lewis,  of  the  schooner 
Chance. 

Bv  order  of  the  court. 

J.  M.  GLASSELL,  Recorder. 

To  which  charges  and  specifications,  pleaded  as  fol- 
lows, viz.  : 

To  the  first  charge  and  specification— -JVo/  gMi%. 
To  the  second  charge  and  specification — Guilty  and 
justification. 

The  court  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow  morning  at 
7  o'clock. 

Fort  St  Marks,  ^Qih  April,  1813. 
The  court  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.   Present, 
Major-General  Gaines,  President. 
Members. 
Colonel  King,  Colonel  Dyer, 

Colonel  Williams,  Lt.  Col.  Lindsey, 

Lt.  Col.  Gibson,  Lt.  Col.  Elliott, 

Major  Muhlenberg,  Major  Fanning, 

Mijor  Montgomery,  Major  Mi d ton, 

Captain  Vashon,  Captain  Crittenden, 

Lieut.  J.  M.  Glassell,  Recorder. 

The  recorder  then  read  to  the  court  the  following  or- 
der, viz.  : 

Head  Q^uarterSj  Division  of  the  South,  Adj.  Gen^s.  Office^ 
St.  Marks,  2Qtk  April,  1818. 

GENERAL    ORDER. 

Capt.  Allison,  of  the  7th  infantry,  is  detailed  to  form 
a  supernumerary  member  of  the  special  court  now  sit- 
ting at  fort  St.  Marks. 

By  order.        ROBERT  BUTLER,  Adj.  Gen. 


340  MEMOIRS    O? 

Pursuant  to  the  above  order,  the  supernumerary 
member  took  his  seat. 

Jo!in  Lew's  Piienix,  a  witness  on  the  part  of  the  pro- 
secution, being  duly  sworn,  stated,  that,  about  the  5th 
or6lhof  \pril,  1818,  his  vessel  and  himself  having  been 
captured  by  the  prisoner,  and  he  brought  to  Suwany 
as  a  prisoner,  th»  re  was  an  alarm  among  the  negroes 
and  Indians,  created  by  learning  some  news  from  Mick- 
asuky,  at  which  time  the  prisoner  appeared  active  in 
seridinjr  orders,  and  sending  a  detachment  to  meet  the 
American  army.  The  witness  also  stated,  that  the  pris- 
oner appeared  to  be  a  person  vested  with  authority 
among  the  negro  leaders,  and  gave  orders  for  their  pre- 
paration for  war,  providing  ammunition,  &.c.  And  that 
the  leaders  came  to  him  (or  or dt7\s.  The  prisoner  fur- 
nislied  them  with  powder  and  lead,  and  recommended 
to  them  the  making  of  ball,  &c.  very  quickly.  The 
Witness  also  stated  that  the  prisoner  occasionally  dres- 
sed in  uniform,  with  his  sword  ;  and  <.hat,  on  the  first 
alarm,  which  he  understood  was  from  Mickasuky,  by  a 
negro  woman,  he  put  on  the  uniform. 

The  witness  further  staled,  that  some  time  about  the 
20th  March,  1818,  the  prisoner,  with  an  armed  body  of^ 
negroes,  {M  in  number,)  came  on  board  his  vessel,  and 
ordered  him  to  pilot  them  to  fort  St.  Marks,  which,  he 
stated,  he  intended  to  capture  before  the  Americans 
could  get  there — threatening  to  hang  the  witness  if  he 
did  not  obey. 

Q?<e.s.  bij  the  court — Did  you  ever  understand  by 
whose  authority,  and  for  what  purpose  the  accused 
came  into  the  country  ? 

Ans.  I  have  frequently  heard  him  say,  he  came  to 
attend  to  Mr,  Woodbine's  business  at  the  bay  of  Tam- 
per. 

Q'.tes  by  the  prisoner— Dh\  I  not  tell  you,  when  I 
came  on  l»oard  the  schooner  Chance,  I  wished  you  to 
Dilot  me  to   St.  Marks,  as  I   was  infcraied  that  two 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  341 

Americans,  by  the  names  of  Hambly  and  Doyle,  were 
confined  there,  and  I  wished  to  have  them  relieved  from 

their  cunfinement  ? 

Ans.  You  stated  you  wanted  to  get  Hambly  and 
Doyle  from  St.  Marks.  I  do  not  know  what  were  your 
intentions  in  so  doing. 

Qwes.  Did  I  not  tell  you  that  I  expected  the  Indians 
would  fire  upon  me  when  arriving  at  St.  Marks  ? 

^ns.  You  did  not :  you  stated  that  you  intended  t© 
take  the  fort  in  the  night  by  surprise. 

Qwes.  Did  you  see  me  give  ammunition  to  the  ne- 
groes and  Indians  ;  and,  if  so,  how  much,  and  at  what 
time  ? 

Jtns  I  saw  you  give  powder  and  lead  to  the  negroes 
when  you  came  on  board,  and  advised  them  to  make 
balls  ;  and  I  saw  you  give  liquor  and  paint  to  the  In- 
dians. 

Qiies.  Have  you  not  p^ten  heard  me  say,  between 
the  1st  and  20th  of  April,  that  I  would  not  have  any 
thing  to  do  with  the  negroes  and  Indians  in  exciting 
them  to  war  witii  the  United  States  ? 

Ans.  About  the  loth  of  April,  I  heard  you  say  you 
would  cot  have  any  thing  to  do  with  the  negroes  and 
Indians  :  I  heard  nothing  about  exciting  them  to  war. 

Ques.  Can  you  read  writing  ? 

Ans.  Not  English  writing. 

Qwes.  Did  you  not  hear  me  say,  when  arriving  at 
Suwany,  that  I  wished  to  be  off  immediately  for  Prov- 
idence ? 

Ans.  I  did  not  :  after  the  alarm,  you  said  you  wish- 
ed to  be  ofif  for  Tamper. 

Ques.  Did  you  not  say  to  the  accused  you  wished  to 
visit  Mr  /irbuthnot,  at  his  store  on  Suwany,  and  get 
provisiops  yourself  ? 

Ans.  I  f'id  not  :  I  stated  I  wanted  provisions. 

Qtfes.  Did  I  send  or  command  any  Indians  to  go  and 
fight  the  Americans  ^ 

Ans.  I  did  not  exactly  know  that  you  sent  them  : 
Ee  2 


342  MEMOIRo^   Or 

the  In'Jians  and  negroes  were  crowding  beiore  you* 
door,  and  you  were  (iivi(ii:\;>;  the  paint,  &to.  among 
the  n  ;  an  I  I  u-ul»TstooH  a  piuty  was  goinsj  to  march. 

(Incs.  Di'l  I  not  give  up  the  scijooner  to  you  in 
char^f',  as  captain  ? 

his.  After  our  return  from  Suwany  town,  you  dl- 
rected  me  to  take  charge  of  her  to  go  to  Tamper. 

John  I.  Arbuthnot,  a  witness  on  the  part  of  the 
prosecution,  being;  duly  sworn,  stated  that  some  time 
about  ti)e  23d  of  March,  the  prisoner  came  with  a  b.>dy 
of  negroes,  partly  armed,  to  his  fatlier's  store  on  Su- 
wiuiy. nVei',  and  told  the  witness  fie  iiad  come  to  do 
justice  to  the  couotry,  by  taking  t!ie  goods  and  distri- 
buting them  among  the  negroes  and  Indians — whicii 
the  witness  saw  the  prisoner  do  :  and  that  the  prisoner 
stated  to  him,  tiiat  he  had  come  to  the  country  on 
Wuodbine's  business,  to  s^^e  the  nejrroes  rijjhted.  Tiie 
witness  has  furtlier  known  the  prisoner  to  give  ordf-ra 
to  the  negroes,  and  that,  at  his  suggestion,  a  party 
wa^^  Rent  (vom  Suwany  to  meet  the  Americans,  to  give 
theui  battle — which  parly  returned  on  meeting  the 
Mickasuky  ln<]ians  in  their  flight.  The  witness  also 
testified  to  tiie  following  letter,  marked  A,  and  referred 
to  in  the  specification  of  the  second  charge,  as  the  wr; 
ling  of  the  prisoner, 

A. 

Molert  0.  A^nhrisUv  to  Governo^r  Cameron. 

Sahwahnee    near  St.  Marks  Fort, 
Tflarch  20th,   1818. 

Sir — I  am  requested  particularly  by  nil  our  Indian 
chiefs,  to  acquaint  your-  excellency,  that  the  Americans 
have  commenced  hostilities  with  them  two  years  ago, 
and  have  advanced  some  considerable  distance  in  this 
country,  and  are  now  making:  daily  progress.  They 
5ay  they  sent  a  number  of  letters  to  your  excellency 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  343 

but  have  never  received  one  answer,  which  makes  then: 
believe  that  lie  never  delivered  them  ;  and  will  oblige 
them  much  if  you  will  let  me  know  whether  he  did  or 
not.  The  purport  of  the  letters  were,  begging  your 
excellency  to  be  kind  enough  to  send  them  down  some 
gun  powder,  musket  balls,  lead,  cannon,  Slc.  as  they 
are  now  completely  out  of  those  articles.  The  Ameri- 
cans may  march  through  the  whole  territory  in  one 
month,  and  without  arms,  Sec.  they  must  surrender. 
Hiilis  Hiijo,  or  Francis,  the  Itidian  chief,  the  one  that 
was  in  England,  tells  me  to  \^.t  your  excellency  know, 
that  the  piince  regent  told  him  that,  whenever  he  want- 
ed ammunition,  your  excellency  would  supply  him  with 
as  much  as  he  wanted.  They  beg  me  to  press  upo.n 
your  excellency's  mind  to  send  the  above  mentioned  ar- 
tides  down  by  the  vessel  that  brings  this  to  you,  as  she 
will  sail  for  this  place  immediately — and  let  the  prince 
regent  know  of  their  situation.  Any  letters  tliat  your 
excellency  may  send  down,  be  good  enough  to  direct  to 
me,  as  they  have  great  dependence  in  my  writing.  Any 
news  that  your  excellency  may  have  respecting  them, 
and  America,  will  be  duing  a  great  favor  to  let  me 
know,  tlmt  I  may  send  among  them,  Tiiere  is  now  a 
very  large  body  of  Americans  and  Indians,  who  I  expect 
will  attack  us  every  day,  and  God  only  knows  how  it 
will  be  decided.  But  1  must  only  say,  this  will  be  the 
last  effort  with  us.  There  has  been  a  body  of  Indians 
gone  to  meet  them,  and  I  have  sent  another  party.  I 
hope  your  excellency  will  be  pleased  to  grant  the  favor 
tiiey  request. 

I  have  nothing  further  to  add,  but  am,  sir,  with  due 
.\<}?pect,  your  obedient  humble  servant, 

ROBERT  C.  AMBRISTER. 

Q^uesiion  hij  the  Prisoner.     Did  you  hear  me  say  tba-: 
i  cauje  on  Woodbine's  business  ?; 
Sns.  I  did 


344  MEMOIRS    OF 

Q,ii€S.  by  the  P.  Were  not  the  negroes  alluded  to  at 
Arbutlinut'b  store  before  I  arrived  ? 
Jins.  No,  you  caaie  vvitli  them. 

Peter  B.  Cook,  a  witness  on  the  part  of  the  prosecu- 
tion, being  duly  sworn,  stated,  that  he  never  heard  the 
prisoner  give  any  orders  to  negroes  or  Indians  ;  that  the 
prisoner  distributed  Arbuthnot's  goods,  and  also,  paint 
to  the  negroes  and  Indians. 

Also,  that  some  powder  was  brought  from  the  ves- 
sel to  Suw^ny  by  the  prisoner,  and  distributed  among 
the  negroes  by  Nero.  Some  time  in  March,  the  pris- 
oner took  Arbuthnot's  schooner,  and  with  an  armed 
party  of  negroes,  24  in  number,  set  out  fiT  fort  St. 
Marks,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  Arbuthnot's  goods  at 
that  place,  and  stated  that  he  would  compel  the  com- 
mandant to  deliver  them  up.  On  hearing  of  the  ap- 
proach of  the  American  army,  the  prisoner  told  the 
negroes  it  was  useless  to  run  ;  for  if  they  ran  any  far- 
ther, they  would  be  driven  into  the  sea 

The  prisoner  told  tlie  witness  that  he  had  been  a 
lieutenant  in  the  British  army,  under  Col.  Nicholls. 
The  prisoner  was  sent  by  Woodbine  to  Tamper,  to  see 
about  those  nt'groes  lie  liad  left  there.  The  prisoner 
told  the  witness  that  he  had  written  a  letter  to  gover- 
nor Cameron,  for  ammunition  for  the  Indians  some  time 
in  March,  and  also  told  the  witness  that  he  had  a  com- 
mission in  tlie  patriot  army,  under  M'Gregor,  and  that 
he  had  expect<:;d  a  captaincy.  The  witness  testified 
that  the  letters  marked  A,  B,  C,  and  D,  and  referred  to 
in  the  specification  to  the  second  charge,  were  in  the 
iiand  writing  of  the  prisoner,  and  one  marked  E. 

D 

From  Robert   C.  Jimbrister  to   Governor  Cameron,  Sfc. 
■    Suhwahnee,  20th  March,  1818, 
Near  Fort  St.  Marks. 
Sir, — I  am  requested  by  Francis  and  all  the  Indian 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  S45 

chiefs,  to  acquaint  your  excellency,  that  they  are  at 
war  with  the  Americans,  and  have  been  some  time 
back.  That  they  are  in  great  tiistress  for  want  of  am- 
munition, bails,  arms,  &.c  and  nave  wrote  by  Mr.  Ar- 
buthnot  sf^veral  times,  but  they  suppose  he  never  de- 
livers them  to  your  excellency.  You  will  oblige  them 
much  to  let  them  know  whether  he  did  or  not. 

I  pxpect  the  Americans  and  Indians  will  attack  us 
daily.  I  have  sent  a  party  of  men  to  oppose  them. 
They  beg  on  me  to  press  on  your  excellency's  min  I  to 
lay  the  situaticm  of  the  country  before  the  Prince  He- 
gent,  and  ask   for  assistance. 

All  new.'*  respecting  them,  your  excellency  will  do  Br 
favor  to  lot  us  know  by  the  first  opportunity,  that  I 
may  make  them  acquainted  I  have  given  directions 
to  the  captain  to  let  your  excellency  know  when  the 
yessel  will  sail  for  this  place.  1  hope  your  excellency 
will  be  pleased  to  send  them  the  ammunition.  1  ex- 
pect, if  they  do  not  procure  some  very  shortly,  that 
the  Americans  will  march  through  the  country.  I 
have  nothing  furtiier  to  add. 

I  amj  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 
aOBEilT  C.  AMBillSTEa. 

E. 

From  Robert  C.  .^brister  to  Peter  B.  Cook. 

Mouth  of  the  River. 

Dr.  Cook, — The  boat  arrived  hs^re  about  3  o'clock 
on  Thursday  :  the  wmd  has  been  a-head  ever  since  : 
I  have  been  down.  The  rud<ler  of  the  vessel  is  in  a 
bad  condition  ;  but  I  will  manage  to  have  it  done  to- 
night. The  wind,  I  am  in  hopes,  will  be  fair  in  the 
mornin;j^,  when  I  will  get  un<ler  weigh,  and  make  all. 
possible  dispatch.  I  will  make  old  Lewis  pilor  me  safe. 
If  those  Indians  don't  conduct  themselves  straight,  I 
would  use  rigorous  means  with  them.  Beware  ol  Mr. 
Jerry  :  I  found  him  on  board  when  I  came.     Keep  a. 


346  MEMOIRS   OF 

good  look  out.     I  have  seat  two  kegs  of  powder  and 
one  bar  of  lead.  Yours,  he-  R.  A. 

TUESDAY,    3  o'clock. 

Q^uestion  by  the  Prisoner-  Did  you  not  frequently 
hear  mp  say  that  I  would  hare  nothing  to  do  with  the 
Indians  in  exciting  them  to  war  with  the  United  States  ? 

*dns.    I  do  not  recollect 

Qities-  by  the  P-  Are  you  acquainted  with  Lewis  Phe- 
nix  and  liave  you  not  heard  him  express  ill  will  against 
me,  i )  consequence  of  my  wishing  him  to  pilot  me  to 
St.  Marks  r 

Jjis.   I  never  did 

Q,ues  Do  you  know  of  my  sending  troops  at  any  time 
to  fijjht  against  the  United  States  ;  and  have  I  not  been 
constantly  with  you,  so  that  you  would  have  had  an  op- 
portunity of  knowing  if  there  had  been  any  sent  by  me  ? 

^iiis  I  have  not  :  they  might  have  been  sent  with- 
out my  knowledge. 

Jacob  Harrison,  a  witness  on  the  part  of  the  prosecu- 
tion, being  duly  sworn,  stated,  thai  some  time  in  the 
latter  end  of  March,  or  first  of  April,  the  prisoner  took 
possession  of  the  snhooner  Chance,  with  an  armed  party 
of  negroes,  and  stated  his  intentions  of  taking  t  Marks- 
On  his  way  thither,  going  ashore,  he  learned  from  some 
Indians  that  Arbuthnot  had  gone  to  St-  Marks,  which 
induced  him  to  return  The  witness  also  stated,  that, 
while  the  prisoner  was  on  board,  he  had  complete  com- 
mand of  the  negroes,  who  considered  him  as  their  cap- 
tain. The  prisoner  took  the  cargo  of  the  vessel  up  to- 
wards Suwjny,  which  consisted  of,  with  otiier  articles, 
9  kegs  of  powder,  and  600  pounds  of  lead- 

The  evidence  on  both  sides  being  closed,  the  prisoner 
was  allowed  until  5  o-clock  this  evening  to  make  his 
defence* 


ANDREW    JACKSOIT.  34f 

The  time  allowed  the  prisoner  for  the  preparation  of 
his  defence,  having  expired,  he  was  broui^hi  before  the 
court,  and  made  the  defence  marked  M,  wljich  is  at- 
tached to  tliese  proceeding's. 

The  court  was  then  cleared,  and  the  proceedings 
read  over  by  the  recorder,  when,  after  due  deliberatioa 
on  the  teptimony  brought  forward,  the  court  find  the 
prisoner,  Robert  C  Amhrister,  guilty  of  so  much  of  the 
spf  cification  to  the  first  charge,  as  follows,  viz-  "  and 
did  excite  them  to  war  with  the  United  States  ;  by  send- 
ing their  warriors  to  meet  and  fight  the  American  army, 
he  being  a  subject  of  Great-Britain,  which  governmrnt 
was  at  peace  and  fri« mlship  with  the  United  States,  and 
all  her  citizens  ;  but  not  guilty  of  the  other  part  of 
the  specification  ;  guilty  of  the  first  charge  ;  guilty  of 
the  specification  of  the  second  charge,  an<J  guilty  of  the 
second  charge  ;  and  do,  therefore,  sentence  the  prison- 
er, Robert  C.  Amhrister,  to  suffer  death,  by  being  s/f of, 
two  thirds  of  the  court  concurring  therein- 

One  of  the  menrtbers  of  the  court  requesting  a  re- 
consideration of  his  vute  on  the  sentence,  tiie  sense  of 
the  court  was  taken  thereon,  and  decided  in  the  affirm- 
ati\e.  when  the  vote  was  again  taken,  and  the  court 
sentence  the  prisoi.er  to  receive  fifty  stripes  on  his  bare 
back,  and  be  confined  with  a  ball  and  chain  to  hard 
labour,  for  twelve  calendar  months. 

The  court  adjourned,  sine  die. 

EDMUND  P.  GAINES, 
Majnr-General  by  brevet.  President  of  the  Court. 

J.  M.  Glassell,  Recorder. 

DEFENCE    M. 

Fort  St.  Marks,  Jpril  2Sfh,   1818. 
The  United  States  of  America,  ^ 
vs.  \ 

Robert  Christy  Amhrister,  3 

Who,  being  arraignp<l  before  a  special  court  martial^ 
upon  the  following  charges,  to  wit  : 


348  MEMOIRS    OF 

I.  Ai'lin":,  abetting,  and  comforting  [the  Indians  ;] 
supplying  thf-m  with  the  means  of  war,  he  being  a 
subjert  of  Grf-at  Britain,  at  peace  vvith  the  United 
States,  and  lately  an  officer  in  the  British  colonial  ma- 
rines. 

Char?*^  2d.  Leading  and  commancling  the  lower 
Creek  Indians  in  carrying  on  war  against  the  United 
States. 

To  the  first  charge  the  prisoner  at  the  bar  pleads 
not  guilt},  and,  as  to  the  second  charge,  he  pleads 
guilty,  and  justification  The  prisoner  at  the  bar  feels 
grateful  to  this  honourable  court  for  their  goodness  in 
giving  him  a  sufficient  time  to  deliberate,  and  arrange 
his  «Iefence  on  the  above  charges. 

The  prisoner  at  the  bar  here  avails  himself  of  the 
oppr.rtunity  of  stating  to  this  court,  that  inasmuch  as 
the  test'ffKny  which  was  introduced  in  this  case,  was 
very  explicit,  and  went  to  every  point  the  prisoner 
could  wish,  lie  has  nothing  further  t<i  offer  in  his  de- 
fence, but  puts  himself  up.>n  the  mercy  of  the  honour- 
able court.  ROBEKT  C.  AMBRISTER. 

Head-Quarters,  Division  of  the  South. 

Adjutant' GeneraVs  Office^  Camp  4  miles  north 
of  St.  Marks,  April  29tli,  1818. 

GENERAL    ORDER. 

At  a  special  c<iurl  martial,  cminenced  on  the  26th 
instant  at  St.  Mi-iks,  and  continue'!  until  the  night  of 
the  ^J8tli,  of  which  brevet  lMaj<-r  General  E.  P.  Gaines 
is  President,  was  tried  A.  Arbuthnot,  on  the  following 
charges  and  specifications,  viz  : 

Charge  Isi  Excitiiig  and  stirring  up  the  Creek  In- 
dians to  w?.r  vt.gainst  the  United  States  and  hercitizenS; 
he,  A.  Ail'U»hnot,  being  a  subject  of  Great-Britain, 
with  when;  the  Uiit<^i*  States  are  at  peace. 

Charge  2d.  Acting  as  a  spy  ;  aiding,  abetting,  and 


ANDREW    JACKSON. 


3te 


comforting',  the  enemy,  and  supplying  them  with  the 
means  of  war. 

Charge  3d.  Exciting  the  Indians  to  murder  and  de- 
stroy William  Hambly  and  Edmund  Doyle,  confiscate 
their  property,  and  causing  their  arrest,  with  a  view  to 
their  condemnation  to  death,  and  the  seizure  of  their 
property,  they  being  citizens  of  Spain,  on  account  of 
their  active  and  znalous  exertions  to  maintain  peace 
between  Spain,  the  United  States,  and  the  Indians. 

To  which  ciiarges  the  prisoner  pleaded  not  guilty. 

The  ct'urt,  after  mature  deliberation  on  the  evidence 
adduced,  find  the  prisoner,  A.  Arbuthnot,  guilty  of  the 
first  charge,  and  guilty  of  the  second  charge,  leaving 
out  the  words  "  acting  as  a  spy  ;"  and,  after  mature 
reflection,  sentence  him,  A.  Arbuthnot,  to  be  suspended 
by  ike  neck^  until  he  is  dead. 

Was  also  tried,  Robert  C.  Ambrister,  on  the  follow- 
ing charges,  viz. 

Charge  Ist.  Aiding,  abetting,  and  comforting  the 
enemy,  and  supplying  them  with  the  means  of  war,  he 
being  a  subject  of  Great-Britain,  who  are  at  peace  with 
the  United  States,  and  late  an  officer  in  the  British  co- 
lonial marines. 

Charge  2d.  Leading  and  commanding  the  lower 
Creek  Indians  in  carrying  on  a  war  against  the  United 
States. 

To  which  charges  the  prisoner  pleaded   as  follows  : 
•  to  the  Ist  charge,  nut  guilty  j  to  the  2d  charge,  guilty, 
and  justification. 

The  court,  on  examination  of  evidence,  and  on  ma- 
ture deliberation,  find  the  prisoner,  Robert  C.  Ambris- 
ter, guilty  of  the  1st  and  2d  charges  ;  and  do,  there- 
fore, sentence  him  to  suffer  death,  by  being  shot.  The 
members  requesting  a  re-consideration  of  the  vote  oc 
this  sentence,  and  it  being  had,  they  sentence  the  pris- 
oner to  receive  fifty  stripes  on  his  bare  back,  and  be 
confined  with  a  ball  and  chain,  to  hard  labour,  for  twelve 
calendar  months. 
Ff 


350  MEMOIRS    OF 

The  Commanding  General  approves  the  finding  and 
sentence  of  the  court  in  the  case  of  A.  Arbuthnot,  and 
approves  the  finding  and  first  sentence  of  the  court  in 
the  case  of  Robert  C.  Ambrister,  and  disapproves  the 
re-consideratioD  of  the  sentence  of  the  honourable  court 
in  this  case. 

It  appears,  from  the  evidence  and  pleading  of  the 
prisoner,  that  he  did  lead  and  command  within  the  ter- 
ritory of  Spain,  (being  a  subject  of  Great-Britain,) 
the  Indians  in  war  against  the  United  States,  those  na- 
tions bping  at  peace.  It  is  an  established  principle  of 
tlie  laws  of  nations,  that  any  individual  of  a  nation 
making  war  against  the  citizens  of  any  other  nation, 
they  being  at  peace,  forfeits  his  allegiance,  and  be- 
comes an  outlaw  and  pirate.  This  is  the  case  of  Robert 
C  Ambrister,  clearly  shewn  by  the  evidence  adduced. 

The  Commanding  General  orders  that  brevet  Major 
A.  C.  ^V.  Fanning,  of  the  corps  of  artillery,  will  have, 
between  the  hours  of  8  and  9  cj'clock,  A.  M.  A  Arbuth- 
not suspended  by  the  neck  with  a  rope,  until  he  is  dead, 
and  Robert  C.  Ambrister  to  be  shot  to  death,  agreeable 
to  the  sentence  of  the  court. 

John  James  Arbuthnot  will  be  furnished  with  a  pas- 
sage to  Pensacola,  by  the  first  vessel. 

The  special  court,  ol  which  brevet  Major-General 
E.  P.  Gaines  is  President,  is  dissolved. 
By  order  of  Major-General  Jackson. 

ROBERT  BUTLER,  Adjutant-General. 

Many  British  prints,  and  what  excites  rather 
pity  than  indii^nation,  many  American  prints,  have 
bestowed  upon  the  administration,  and  Gen.  Jack- 
son, the  most  opprobrious  epithets,  for  their  pro- 
ceedings  in  relation  to  the  capture  of  St.  i\Iarks  and 
Pensacola,  and  the  execution  of  Arbuthnot  and 
Ambrister  !    The  justice  of  heaven  is  often  recog- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  351 

aized  in  bringing  the  solitary  murderer  to  justice  ; 
and  although  it  is  ever  a  solemn  scene,  human  tri- 
bunals are  justified  in  inflicting  it.  Is  it  because 
these  miscreants  occasioned  blood  to  flow  from 
hundreds  of  bosoais,  that  they  are  to  be  screened 
from  punishment  ?  They  were  murderers,  in  the 
strictest  sense  of  the  word.  Britain  and  Spain, 
were  both  at  peace  with  America;  they  therefore 
could  not  claim  the  rights  of  prisoners  of  war. 
They  lived  by  the  knife,  the  tomahawk,  and  the 
musket,  and  they  justly  expiated  their  crimes  upon 
the  gibbet. 

The  Seniinoles  had  been  conquered  ;  their  pow- 
er  broken  ;  their  warriors  dispersed  ;  and  their  in- 
stigators punished.  At  the  very  moment  when 
Gen.  Jackson  was  about  to  discharge  his  army,  in- 
formation was  received  by  him,  that  many  recent 
murders  had  been  ''  committed  on  the  yilabama,  bij 
a  party  of  the  enemy  from  Pcnsacola,  where  they 
were  furnished  with  provisions  and  ammunition  by  a 
friendly  power  /"* 

Governor  Joseph  Masot^  had  succeeded  Gonzalez 
Manrequez,  in  the  gubernatorial  authority  of  Flor- 
ida ;  but  although  thtre  was  a  change  of  men, 
there  was  no  alteration  in  measures.  The  hostile 
savages  were  still  fostered,  armtd,  and  instigated  to 
war,  in  the  capital  of  Florida.  Gen.  Jackson,  re- 
solved again  to  "  carry  our  arms  where  he  found  our 
*  Vide  Gen.  Jackson's  address  to  his  army,  29th  May,  1818. 


552  MEMOIRS    OF. 

cntmics.^'*^  Encoutitering  hardships  and  privations 
wliich  he  and  the  Tennessee  Tolunteers  had  for 
years  encountered,  they  moved  towards  Pensacola, 
Conscious  of  having  incurred  the  just  vengeance  of 
the  Aniericao  government  and  army,  the  governor 
r'cinoiist rated  against  the  procedure,  in  order  to  lay 
a  foundation  for  a  little  more  negociation  with  his 
^'  adored  master  ;"  but  Gen.  Jackson  had  no  other 
power  of  negociating  with  Masot,  than  he  had  with 
Mcmrcquez — ^^  from  the  mouths  of  his  cannonJ^^-\ 

He  entered  Pensacola  without  opposition.  The 
governor,  his  retinue,  and  his  forces,  retired  to  the 
fortress  of  BarancaSy  which  had  been  repaired,  at 
immense  expense,  since  the  explosion  in  the  last 
war.  It  was  here,  that  the  American  forces  ex- 
pected the  most  determined  opposition,  from  the 
superior  advantages  that  the  Spaniards  possessed. 
But  "  he  is  doublij  arni^divho  hath  his  quarrel  just  J*^ 
The  garrison  held  out  but  one  day,  and  surrendered 
upon  the  28th  May.  The  articles  of  capitulation 
•ire  l)efore  the  pul)lic,  and  are  too  Jong  to  be  here 
inserted. 

Upon  the  29th  May,  Gen.  Jackson  commences 
iiis  oniers — "  Head-quarters,  Division  of  the  South, 
Pensacola.''^ — Speaking  of  the  possession  of  this 
place,  he  says — ^'  he  has  not  bee7i  prompted  to  this 
measure  from  a  wish  to  extend  the  territorial  limits 
of  the  United  States.''^  Alluding  to  the  Spanish  treaty, 
*  Vide  Chap.  xii.  t  V4de  Chap.  xi. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  35ci 

and  the  Spanish  violation  of  it,  he  says—"  helpless 
women  have  been  butchered,  and  the  cradle  stain- 
ed with  the  blood  of  innocence  !'*  He  assigned  the 
command  of  Pensacola  to  Col.  King,  «  as  military 
and  civil  governor,"  and  prepared  to  retire  to  his 
old  head-quarters  at  Nashville.  He  arrived  there 
late  in  June,  and  was  received  by  a  deputation  of 
citizens,  among  whom  was  his  gallant  associate, 
Gen.  Carroll. 

From  that  time  to  the  present,  (Nov.  1818,) 
Gen.  Jackson  has  been  assiduously  engaged  in  the 
important   duties  devolved    upon    him,  as  "  coiM- 

MANDER  IN  CHIEF  OF  THE  DIVISION  OF  THE   SOUTH, *"' 


Ff2 


MEMOIRS    O. 


CONCLUSION. 

Incidents  of  Gen.  Jackson's  life — bis  character. 

In  concluding  these  Memoirs,  I  cannot  omit  to 
imcri  a  few  incidents  of  Gen.  Jackson's  life,  which 
arc  not  yet  emhraccd  in  them. 

\^'hen  sitting  as  judge  of  the  suj;)renie  court  of 
Tennessee,  an  atrocious  culprit  escaped  from  the 
custody  of  the  sheriiF;  seized  a  loaded  musket  with 
a  bayonet ;  placed  himself  in  the  angle  of  two 
stone  walls,  and  swore  he  would  shoot  the  first? 
and  bayonet  the  second  man  that  attempted  to 
take  him.  The  sheriiT  ordered  ten  men,  as  assist- 
ants, but  they  dared  not  approach  him.  The  sheriff 
reported  the  fact  to  the  jndge.  "  Summon  100 
men,  then,''  said  judge  Jackson.  It  was  done  , 
but  they  also  feared  to  arrest  him.  Upon  a  second 
report — <*  Summon  7?z^,  then,''  said  the  judge.  It 
was  done.  He  descended  from  the  liench — ap- 
proached the  culprit  with  a  stern  countenance,  and 
dignified  firmness — seized  the  musket  with  one 
Iiand,  the  culprit  with  the  other,  and  handed  him 
io  the  sheriff. 

In  the  most  gloomy  period  of  the  Creek  war, 
-rA.rp  Gen.  Jackson's   little  army  wa?  ?'n  ^r'm'nep' 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  355 

danger  from  the  savages,  and  still  more  alarmed  at 
tlie  almost  certain  prospect  of  famine ;  when  an 
alarming  despondency  pervaded  the  hearts  of  those 
brave  men,  who  would  face  death  in  its  most  hor» 
rible  forms,  the  general  invited  a  number  of  his 
officers  to  breakfast  with  him.  They  repaired  to 
his  marquee,  <ind  found  him  sitting,  with  digni6ed 
composure,  under  a  wide  spreading  oak,  which  had 
produced  an  abundant  crop  of  acorns.  "  Sit  down, 
gentlemen,"  said  the  general :  "  this  is  my  breakfast^ 
and  it  is  all  I  have  to  serve  you  with  ;  but  a  soldier 
never  despairs.  Heaven  will  bless  our  cause — will 
preserve  us  from  famine,  and  return  us  home  con- 
querors," The  officers  returned  to  their  tents 
with  increasing  admiration  of  their  general;  ad- 
hered  to  him  to  the  end  of  the  war ;  and  saw  his 
predictions  verified. 

'  The  troops  before  New-Orleans  embraced  many 
of  the  first  young  gentlemen,  in  point  of  talents^ 
education,  family  and  fortune,  in  the  states  of 
Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Louisiana,  and  Mississippi : 
and  among  them  were,  of  course,  many  of  a  rougher 
character;  The  pleasant  raillery,  which  is  the 
very  zest  of  life,  when  played  off  by  one  gentle- 
man upon  another,  was  unfortunately  practised  upo 
on  a  captain  of  a  company,  who  took  it  in  high 
dudgeon.  In  imitation  of  the  names  of  Indian 
chiefs,  his  men  called  him  Capt.  Fiat-Foot.  He  re° 
TJionsf rated  against  it  to  Gen.  Jackson,  who  plea« 


35&  MEMOIRS    OF 

santly  remarked--"  Really,  Captain,  it  is  difficult 
getfing  alonij  with  those  gay  young  fellows;  hut  so 
long  as  they  toil  at  the  lines  with  such  vigour,  and 
fight  the  enemy  with  such  courage,  we  officers  must 
overlook  a  little  innocent  levity.  Why,  Captain, 
they  call  me  Old  Hickory  ;  and  if  you  prefer  my 
title  to  your*s,  I  will  readily  make  an  exchange." 
The  Captain  retired,  proud  of  the  title  of  Capt» 
Flat- Foot. 

Pages  might  be  filled  in  relating  interesting  anec- 
dotes,  and  incidents  of  Gen.  Jackson,  which  would 
clearly  show,  that  although  austere  dignity  is  his 
predominating  characteristic,  he  still  possesses  the 
most  amiable  and  benevolent  heart.  But  the  work 
is  already  extended  much  beyond  the  original  de- 
sign of  it.  One  subject,  however,  must  not  be 
omitted  ;  that  of  duelling.  That  Gen.  Jackson  has 
a  number  of  times,  entered  the  field  of  single  com- 
bat, is  not  disputed  ;  but  that  he  ever  entered  it 
the  aggressor,  is  most  unequivocally  denied.  That 
he  has  that  susceptibility  which  is  always  a  concom- 
itant with  genius  and  greatness,  is  admitted  ;  but 
that  he  ever  wantonly  provoked  an  honourable  man 
to  resort  to  the  sword  or  pistol  for  redress,  is  inad- 
missible. Gen.  Jackson  respects  his  fellow  men,  ac- 
cording to  their  merits;  and  he  respects  himself 
according  to  his  own.  He  is  never  guilty  of  insult- 
ing with  wantonness,  and  will  never  be  insulted 
with  impunity. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  357 

If  Gen.  Jackson,  in  repelling  and  punishing  the 
rude  attacks  that  have  been  made  on  his  fame  and 
his  honour,  has  resorted  to  a  mode  of  redress,  not 
sanctioned  by  the  laws  of  his  country,  it  is  a  mode 
which  legislatures  have  hitherto  been  unable  to  re- 
strain. 

In  concluding  these  memoirs,  I  attempt  with 
deep  solicitude,  briefly  to  pourtray  the  exalted 
character  who  is  the  subject  of  them, 

ANDRE  ^y  JACKSON  was  born  a  great  man- 
lie  was  born  free.  The  first  dawnin;i;  of  his  intellect 
elicited  the  independence  of  his  spirit.  As  if  his 
youthful  blood  instinctively  glowed  with  indigna- 
tion,  at  the  miseries  his  ancestors  had  sustained  from 
abused  power,  the  first  signal  act  of  his  life  was 
performed  in  resisting  it.  Intuitively  great,  he  ex- 
plored the  regions  of  science  with  the  rapidity  of 
thought.  Acute  in  observation,  he  studied  men  as 
he  mingled  with  them.  Aspiring  in  his  views,  he 
sought  for  a  capacious  field  as  the  scene  of  his  ex- 
ertions. He  entered  the  stage  of  life  entirely  alone. 
"With  no  extrinsic  advantages  to  raise  him  into  life, 
he  sought  no  aid  out  of  himself,  and  he  received  no 
aid  but  what  he  commanded  by  his  own  energy.  A 
theoretical  and  practical  statesman,  he  led  the  peo- 
ple of  Tennessee,  to  the  adoption  of  a  constitution, 
to  give  permanency  to  their  civil  rights — A  soldier 
from  boyhood,  he  led  his  fellow  citizens  to  the 
frontiers,  to  preserve  them  from  devastation,  and 


358  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  settlers  from  massacre.  Unsatisfied  with  a  mi- 
nor  station,  every  step  he  gained  in  his  ascent  to  the 
temple  of  fame,  gave  him  new  vigour  in  ascending 
still.  He  became  a  senator  of  the  American  Re- 
public ;  and  to  shew  the  world  that  his  greatness 
was  not  derived  from  his  official  elevation,  he  re- 
tired to  the  post  of  "  honour — a  private  station." 

When  the  olive  of  peace  ceased  to  wave  over  the 
republic,  and  the  clarion  of  war  assailed  the  ears  of 
her  citizens,  his  military  character  suddenly  devel- 
oped itself.  Enjoying  the  tranquil  charms  of  do- 
mestic felicity,  the  soothing  suggestions  of  inactivi- 
ty urged  him  to  rest.  But  he  was  born  for  his 
country — his  country  was  endan^^ered — its  hopee 
were  fixed  upon  him,  and  he  esj)oused  its  cause. 

Devoted  to  the  cause  of  his  country  frou)  princi- 
ple, he  scarcely  breathed,  after  subjugating  a  savage 
foe,  before  he'hundered  defiance  to  the  conquerors 
of  the  Old  Worid.  Upon  the  banks  of  the  majes- 
tic Mississippi,  he  soared  before  his  enemies,  in 
sheets  of  fire — he  rendered  every  rlefile  a  ThermO' 
piflx^  and  every  plain  an  Amnrathon. 

He  is  deeply  versed  in  the  science  of  human  na- 
ture— hence  he  is  rarely  deceived  in  the  confidence 
he  r<  poses  in  his  friends,  and  knows  well  how  to  de- 
tect his  enemies.  The  first  he  loves,  and  sets  the 
last  at  defiance.  In  the  discharge  of  oflicial  duties, 
he  imparts  dignity  to  the  oflice,  and  secures  respect 


ANDREW   JACKSOkS".  359 

to  himself— in  (he  circles  of  private  life,  he  is  affa- 
ble, without  descending  to  low  familiarity. 

In  his  person,  he  is  above  the  ordinary  height, 
elegantly  formed,  but  of  very  spare  habit.  But, 
'«» toil  has  strung  his  nerves,  and  purified  his  blood^^^ 
and  he  can  bear  any  fatigue  within  the  power  of 
human  endurance.  The  features  of  his  face  have 
that  striking  peculiarity,  which  immediately  at- 
tracts attention.  His  large,  dark  blue  eyes,  are  set- 
tled deep  under  prominent  arching  eyebrows, 
which  he  can  clothe  in  frowns  to  repel  an  enemy, 
and  dress  in  smiles  to  delight  his  friends— his  whole 
person  shows  that  he  was  born  to  command. 

In  fine,  he  is  loved  by  his  friends — respected  by 
his  enemies— the  favourite  of  his  country,  and  the 
admiration  of  the  world. 


'•*W|j^*'fltt^' 


^■^, 


mv^} 


[!*..  -:^9':^fhi?^^ 


'n^i^im^.')^^''-'^'' 


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WJ.v^^:.^^^  ^•^■'  ^.-.^v/'.,.  •^•i^^.V-^^^  ,,#f^»«^ 


^^liWl^iSsi^ 


is^v 


*■•->;• 


mmmmmm»mm' 


